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NAPOLEON'S 
LOVE    STORY 

H  Ibfstorfcal  IRomancc 


BY 

WACŁAW   GASIOROWSKI 

AUTHOR  OF    "the   HURRICANE,"    "  KAJETAN   STUART,"    "  THE   LIGHT   HORSE, 

"the  black  general,"  etc. 


TRANSLATED   BY 

THE   COUNT   DE    SOISSONS 


NEW   YORK 
E.   P.   BUTTON   AND    CO. 

1905 


ALL     RIGHTS    RESERVED 


Printed  hi  Great  Britain 


INTRODUCTION 


WHEN  the  young  school  of  Polish  literati,  led  bj 
Przybyszewski,  attacked  the  writers  of  the  school 
at  the  head  of  which  stands  Henryk  Sienkiewicz,  accusing 
them,  among  other  things,  of  sterihty,  the  author  of  Qiio 
Vadis  refuted  their  accusation,  and  pointed  to  Wacław 
Gasiorowski  as  the  worthy  champion  of  that  art  of  novel- 
writing  which  secured  a  world-Avide  renoAvn  to  Sienkiewicz. 
And  it  is  true  that  although  Wacław  Gasiorowski  does  not 
bring  into  literature  any  new  element,  he  is  a  very  able 
master  of  the  historic  romance,  originated  by  Sir  Walter 
Scott,  as  the  readers  of  Napoleoii's  Love  Story  can  judge 
for  themselves. 

It  is  strange  tliat  although  there  is  an  enormous  number 
of  volumes  on  the  Napoleonic  epoch,  no  one  has  revealed 
to  us  until  now  that  charming  idyll  in  which  Madame 
Walewska  appears  as  the  embodiment  of  all  the  noble 
qualities  of  woman  in  general  and  of  Polish  ladies  in  par- 
ticular. This  is  done  by  the  author  of  the  present  volume 
thi'ough  the  medium  of  a  fascinating  story  told  simply  and 
convincingly. 

Wacław  Gasiorowski  was  born  some  thirty  years  ago  in 
Warsaw  and  comes  from  that  petty  Polish  nobility  of  which 
there  were,  during  the  existence  of  the  Polish  Common- 
wealth, about  100,000,  and  which  stood  like  a  wall  defending 


vi  INTRODUCTION 

eastern  Europe  against  the  invasions  of  Tartars,  Turks,  and 
Cossacks,  their  last  extraordinarily  valorous  deed  being  the 
defeat  at  Vienna,  in  1863,  of  300,000  Turks  by  25,000  Polish 
horsemen. 

The  two  revolutions  of  1848  and  1863  ruined  Gasiorowski's 
father,  so  that  the  novelist  from  the  age  of  fifteen  was  forced 
both  to  earn  his  own  living  and  educate  himself  as  best  he 
could.  This  he  has  done  well,  the  best  proofs  of  which  are 
his  several  historical  romances,  such  as  The  Hurricane,  The 
Light  Horseman,  Kajdan  Stuart,  The  Black  General,  etc. 

Gasiorowski  is  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  Napoleon,  and 
he  has  spent  four  years  following  his  trail  through  Italy, 
Austria,  Germany,  Spain,  Russia,  Corsica  and  Elba.  Finally 
he  settled  down  in  Paris  where  he  goes  from  time  to  time 
to  the  tomb  of  VEmpercur,  whose  last  romance  and  a  good 
study  of  Polish  society  of  a  century  ago  I  introduce  to  the 
English  people  with  the  hope  that  they  will  enjoy  reading 
it  as  much  as  I  have  enjoyed  translating  it. 

S.  C.  DE  SOISSONS. 

London, 

March  80th,  1905. 


NAPOLEON'S 
LOVE     STORY 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  last  day  of  1806  was  an  agreeable  surprise  to  Warsaw : 
during  the  night  the  sky  shook  off  the  lead-hke  clouds 
and  rainy  veils^  which  for  a  whole  week  had  covered  it,  and 
appeared  in  a  shining  snowy  mantle,  with  the  smile  of  the  sun 
and  the  calm  of  the  frosty  cold. 

Warsaw  was  awaiting  the  long-desired  guest,  and  welcomed 
him  heartily  as  a  foreboding  of  the  new  year,  as  a  presage  of 
brighter  times,  as  an  augury  of  the  fulfilment  of  overgrown 
hope. 

Merciless  rain,  as  though  in  spite  of  the  brightness  of  hearts, 
seemed  to  slander  the  country  lying  between  the  Rivers  Oder, 
Niemen,  Warta,  and  Wisla.  The  P'rench  soldiers  swore  at  the 
mud,  the  general  staff  cursed  the  bad  weather,  and  the  swells 
of  the  army  wondered  how  it  was  possible  to  stand  winter  in 
a  country  with  such  a  wretched  climate.  Even  the  inhabitants 
of  the  mansion  of  Count  Maurycy  Potocki,  who  offered  his 
hospitality  to  Marshal  Murat,  whispered  that  the  Emperor  him- 
self complained  of  the  bad  weather. 

Those  who  surrounded  the  Emperor  would  swear  that  they 
did  not  remember  such  an  awful  December,  and  the  witty  ones 
explained  that  the  rain  was  due  to  the  abundant  tears  of 
General  Kohler,  who  was  forced  to  leave  Warsaw  ;  all,  however, 
agreed  that  every  day  very  cold  weather  might  be  expected. 
In  the  meanwhile  the  rain,  with  penetrating  cold,  continued. 
B 


2  NAPOLEON'S   1,0 VE   STORV 

The  reviev/s  of  the  troops  were  not  successful ;  stores  were 
drenched  and  rotted,  fever  decimated  the  regiments,  and,  what 
was  worse,  there  came  news  from  Carnow,  Golymin,  Dzialdow, 
and  Pułtusk  that  there  also  the  bad  weather  was  very  much  in 
the  way  of  the  Emperor's  plans. 

Then  suddenly,  on  the  29th  of  December,  came  the  news 
about  Napoleon's  new  victory  on  the  shores  of  the  River  Narew ; 
but  it  was  not  confirmed  officially — the  drums  in  the  guard- 
house were  silent. 

It  was  impossible  to  get  any  news  from  Alexandre  Potocki's 
mansion  ;  for  that  day,  as  it  seemed,  even  the  Countess  Anna 
herself  could  not  see  Murat,  who  was  not  well,  and  there  was 
no  other  source,  Wybicki  having  gone  with  the  Emperor. 

Only  on  the  Festival  of  St.  Sylvester,  as  if  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  sun,  the  guard-house  became  animated  with  the 
noise  of  drums,  and  the  Prince  of  Berg  communicated  to  Count 
Potocki  the  news  about  the  victory  at  Pułtusk  and  the  expected 
return  of  the  Empei-or  to  Warsaw.  The  last  news  seemed  to 
arouse  the  greatest  enthusiasm,  for  nobody  doubted  Napoleon's 
victory,  whereas  it  was  difficult  to  believe  that  he  would  return 
to  the  capital  of  New  Western  Prussia,  for  during  his  previous 
sojourn  in  Warsaw  he  had  made  clear  that  it  was  merely  one 
more  headquarters  and  a  military  depot. 

On  that  occasion  he  came  during  the  night,  not  paying  any 
attention  to  the  bunting  disjilayed  for  his  reception.  He  was 
satisfied  with  the  empty  castle  and  bread  and  water  for  his 
supper.  He  had  a  short  conversation  with  the  representatives 
of  the  country  and  with  Wybicki,  in  which  the  principal  topic 
was  provisions  for  the  army ;  the  following  day  was  given  to 
a  hasty  inspection  of  the  shores  of  the  River  Wisla — such  was 
his  first  acquaintance  with  Warsaw.  He  came  like  a  thunderbolt 
and  disappeared  like  a  meteor. 

Therefore  the  news  about  the  Emperor's  coming  made  the 
hearts  of  the  inhabitants  of  Warsaw  throb.  The  statesmen 
regarded  that  visit  as  an  historical  fact  of  great  importance, 
and  the  accomplishment  of  lavish  promises  made  in  Berlin  and 
Posen ;  the  youths  hoped  that  they  would  have  more  chances 
to  adorn  themselves  with  epaulettes  and  crosses,  and  to  get 
the  diplomas   for  the  higher  military  grades ;  a  crowd  of  the 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  3 

courtiers  of  the  late  King  Stanislaus  Poniatowski  had  become 
arrogant,  remembering  former  favours,  and  were  beginning  to 
intrigue  with  Talleyrand,  with  Prince  Borghese,  the  Emperor's 
brother-in-law,  with  Murat,  and  even  with  such  officers  of  the 
staff  as  MM.  de  Noailles  and  Lagrange.  The  first  news  of 
balls  and  receptions  was  circulating  in  the  drawing-rooms,  and 
in  the  castle  the  privilege  of  precedence,  court  dress,  and 
etiquette  were  the  principal  topics. 

The  dusk  Avas  falling,  and  the  streets  of  Warsaw  were 
thronged  with  people.  The  noise  of  the  frozen  snow  under 
the  feet  of  the  pedestrians  was  mingled  with  the  joyful  tintin- 
abulation  of  sledge-bells,  shouting  of  coachmen,  and  noisy 
conversation. 

The  houses  were  lit  up ;  in  the  porticoes  of  the  mansions 
shone  big  lanterns  ;  the  footmen  lighted  the  torches  ;  shops  and 
restaurants  were  ablaze  with  yellowish-red  light. 

The  noise  increased  every  hour. 

As  if  in  response  to  the  thousand  lights  with  which  Warsaw 
adorned  herself,  the  sapphire-like  sky  shone  with  millions  of 
stars,  and  the  bright  moon  lit  up  the  immensity  of  the  horizon. 

From  the  direction  of  the  Wolska  Gate  was  heavily  rolling 
an  old-fashioned  carriage  drawn  by  six  fat  bay  horses  dragging 
the  vehicle  with  difficulty  through  the  heavy  drifts  of  snow. 
The  wheels  of  the  carriage  were  clogged  with  snow,  and, 
besides  all  this,  when  entering  Senatorska  Street  it  met  so 
many  different  kinds  of  vehicles  that  it  was  obliged  to  go  very 
slowly  and  to  stop  every  little  while. 

Before  coming  to  Maryville  the  street  became  broader.  The 
coachman  whipped  up  the  horses  in  order  to  pass  a  sledge 
going  ahead,  when  from  the  direction  of  Bielańska  Street  there 
came  several  peasant  carts  escorted  by  soldiers.  The  traffic  was 
stopped,  and  the  carriages  were  obliged  to  wait. 

It  seemed  that  the  new  obstacle  aroused  the  impatience  of 
those  who  were  within  the  carriage,  for  its  window,  covered 
with  frost,  opened,  and  the  charming  voice  of  a  lady  was  heard. 

"  Ian,  why  did  you  stop  again  }  " 

A  sturdy  footman  sitting  beside  the  coachman  turned  to 
answer,  when,  at  the  same  moment,  there  came  out  from  the 
coach  another  voice— sharp  and  irritable. 


4  NAPOLEONS   LOVE   STORY 

'•'Evidently  you  wish  me  to  catch  cold  again  !  " 

"  No,  but  .  .   ." 

'^  You  are  in  a  hurry  !  .  .  .  I  know,  I  know  !  But  it's  useless 
for  you  to  hurry.  I  told  you  that  if  the  Princess  did  not  leave 
her  visiting  cards  at  our  residence  we  would  stay  at  home." 

"As  you  wish/'  answered  the  woman's  trembling  voice. 

The  window  was  closed.  The  footman,  who  was  waiting  for 
an  opportunity  to  answer  the  question,  turned  towards  the 
coachman  and  muttered — 

"  Pretty  sour  !  " 

"  Old  age  makes  him  so,"  answered  the  coachman. 

"And  jealousy  too." 

"Yes,  and  he  torments  that  poor  thing  awfully.  To-day,  in 
Walewice,  she  cried,  not  wishing  to  go.  The  chambermaid  told 
me  so." 

"  I  know,"  answered  the  footman  sorrowfully.  "  I  used  to 
carry  her  in  my  arms.  Her  father  turns  in  his  grave  at  the 
thought  of  the  miserable  life  our  lady  is  living  Avith  that  old 
man,  who  abuses  everybody.  Yesterday  he  scolded  me  as  if 
I  were  an  ordinary  farm-hand." 

The  coachman  nudged  the  footman.  "Be  careful,  they 
might  hear  you." 

"  I  don't  care,"  he  answered  angrily,  and  became  silent,  for 
at  that  moment  there  resounded  again  the  harsh  voice. 

"You  have  shut  the  window.  ,  .  You  wish  me  to  suffo- 
cate .  .  ." 

The  window  opened  again. 

"  Why  did  you  stop  .^  "  screeched  the  same  voice.  "  And  you 
do  not  care  at  all  .   .  ." 

"You  did  not  permit  me  to  ask,"  said  the  same  sweet 
woman's  voice. 

"Yes,  perhaps  you  would  like  to  have  a  written  consent. 
Yes,  I  know,  you  would  not  care  even  if  I  froze  to  death. 
Nothing  to  sigh  about,  madame ;  I  am  old,  you  will  outlive  me. 
Yes,  you  will." 

A  sudden  jerk  of  the  coach  and  creaking  of  the  frozen  axles 
interrupted  the  quarrel. 

Now  the  coach  rolled  swiftly,  turned  into  Miodowa  Street, 
passed   the    Pace    Mansion,   and,  keeping  on  the  side  of  the 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  5 

Basilean   Churchy  stopped   in  the    front  of  the  last   house  in 
Dluga  Street^  not  far  from  the  famous  Raczyński  Mansion. 

The  footman  jumped  down  from  his  box  and  rapped  at  the 
porte  cochere.  The  door  opened  wide,  showing  a  brightly 
lighted  hall.  Several  servants  rushed  out  and  began  to  unstrap 
the  boxes  at  the  back  of  the  coach.  The  footman  opened  the 
carriage  door  and  helped  a  lady  wrapped  up  in  costly  fur  to 
alight ;  then  he  called  one  of  the  servants,  and  with  his  aid 
helped  out  the  old  gentleman  all  wrapped  up  in  furs. 

The  lady  entered  the  hall  and  disappeared,  whilst  the  gentle- 
man was  still  at  the  door  of  the  coach  scolding  and  asking  the 
footman  ten  times  over  about  every  smallest  package. 

The  passers  by,  attracted  by  the  coach,  surrounded  it.  The 
gentleman  grew  impatient,  searched  for  his  ebony  stick,  and 
looked  contemptuously  towards  the  crowd.  At  the  same  moment 
a  fat  man,  clad  in  a  shabby  fur,  came  to  him  and  bowed  humbly. 
The  gentleman  looked  him  up  and  down,  and  asked  hesitat- 
ingly— "Excuse  me.  .  .  I  do  not  remember.  .  ." 

"Are  you  not  Pan  Anastazy  Walewski.^"  asked  in  his  turn 
the  fat  man. 

"Yes  ...  but  .  .  ." 

"'  The  Chamberlain.  .  .  I  haven't  seen  you  for  half  a  century ! 
Don't  you  recognise  me  ?  Parole  d'konneiir  !  as  for  me,  it's  no 
wonder;  you  grow  younger.  Well,  do  you  still  not  recollect.^ 
...  I  am  Bolesha." 

"  A  .  .  .  Bolesha !  I  am  glad,"  answered  Walewski,  shaking 
hands  quite  stiffly  with  the  man. 

"  The  same.  One  of  the  triumvirate !  Dlucki,  Bolesha, 
Hulewich.  And  do  you  remember  Dzbanski,  hrave  homme,  he 
can't  move  either  hand  or  foot ;  they  bled  him  three  times.  I 
see,  you  have  just  come.  For  the  Carnival  ?  Ha  !  ha  !  I  under- 
stand— Madame  voire  epouse.  And  the  Carnival  promises  to 
be  a  brilliant  one ;  Prince  Borghese  is  going  to  give  a  ball ; 
Monsieur  de  Talleyrand  is  at  home  twice  a  week ;  Madame  de 
Vauban  is  indefatigable  as  usual ;  the  Countess  Potocka's  recep- 
tions are  famous  for  her  suppers,  and  when  the  Emperor  returns, 
Mada?ne  voire  epouse  willTje  very  busy." 

"  You  are  mistaken ;  we  came  only  for  a  few  days  on  some 
business.     But  you  must  excuse  me,  it  is  cold  " 


6  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  v,-ouldn't  dare  to  refuse  you  !  I  am  at  your  service  ! " 
Walewski  looked  astonished  at  Bolesha^  for  he  could  not  under- 
stand how  it  happened  that  he  invited  him  while  he  wished  so 
much  to  get  rid  of  him ;  but  not  finding  a  polite  excuse  for 
sending  "the  bore"  away,  he  turned  towards  the  hall.  Bolesha 
followed  him,  talking  constantly  and  keeping  close  to  him. 

The  Chamberlain  was  met  by  his  French  valet,  who  very 
adroitly  helped  him  to  take  off  his  fur  overcoat,  fur  overshoes, 
fur  gaiters,  and  fur  jacket,  till  his  master  appeared  in  a  steel- 
coloured,  swallow-tail  coat  on  which  shone  the  star  of  an  order, 
a  pale  yellow  waistcoat  embroidered  with  flowers,  and  brown 
kneebreeches. 

The  Chamberlain  breathed  now  with  evident  pleasure,  and 
being  seated  in  front  of  a  blazing  fire,  drank  a  bowl  of  hot 
grog  served  to  him  by  the  valet.  As  for  Bolesha,  he  looked  at 
Walewski,  and  rubbed  his  frozen  hands,  while  a  malicious  smile 
wandered  over  his  brick-red  face,  the  principal  characteristic  of 
which  was  a  large  bluish  cucumber-like  nose. 

Walewski  seemed  to  have  guessed  Bolesha's  thought,  for  he 
swallowed  the  punch,  and  said  abruptly — 

"  What  do  you  think  of  me  now  ł  " 

"  You  have  grown  thinner  w'hile  I  was  looking  at  you.  Two- 
thirds  were  taken  off  you  by  your  valet." 

Walewski  made  an  impatient  movement  with  his  mouth,  and 
said,  with  barely  concealed  irritation — 

"  You  mean  that  I  am  old." 

"  Jamais  de  la  vie !  We  are  both  of  the  same  age.  I  am 
obliged  to  wear  a  wig,  while  you  .  .  .  then  when  one  has  such 
a  young  wife,  one  grows  younger.  What !  But  you  used  to 
have  good  wine.  I  am  glad  you  do  not  offer  me  any  grog,  for 
I  can't  drink  it  .   .  .  Parole  d'honneur  !" 

The  Chamberlain  rang  for  the  valet  and  ordered  some  wine. 
Bolesha  was  beaming. 

"This  morning  I  had  a  presentiment  of  good  news,  and  it's 
realised.  How  glad  I  am  to  see  you  again.  For  there  are  few 
men  left  from  our  times  .  .  .  good  times !  We  are  scattered 
.  .  .  Some  of  them,  like  that  brave  Grabski,  became  monks ; 
others,  like  Grotus,  were  married,  and  they  dandle  grand- 
children; and  those  who  did  not  die  entered  the  army." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  7 

"  Perhaps  you  are  going  to  do  the  same,  eh  ?  " 

"Parole  d'honneur!  They  all  enter  the  army  .  .  .  Rautenstrauch 
and  Hebduski  have  enlisted  already.  The  stream  carries  them 
all ;  everybody  wishes  to  wear  a  uniform.  Ah !  wine !  You 
must  be  glad  that  Wybicki  does  not  know  about  your  wine ;  he 
would  have  commandeered  it  for  the  army." 

"And  who  is  at  the  head  of  the  Government .'' " 

"  His  Majesty  Pan  Joseph  Wybicki !  "  answered  Bolesha,  with 
comical  gravity. 

''Which  Wybicki .>" 

"  There  is  only  one  Sun,  one  Cato,  one  Wybicki !  The  member 
of  the  Diet,  General  Dombrowski's  comrade,  friend  of  M.  de  la 
Roche,  owner  of  the  Manichek  estate,  father  of  two  sons  !  " 

"  And  such  a  man  is  at  the  head  }  " 

"Yes  .  .  .  yes,  he  is." 

"  I  am  sure  he  secured  this  position  by  intrigue,  for  it  would 
have  been  proper  to  look  to  those  who  formerly  were  of  some 
importance.  That  Bonaparte  sympathises  with  vulgar  people. 
.  .  .  My  brother  has  written  to  me  about  it,  but  I  did  not  think 
that  he  would  go  as  far  as  that." 

"  The  revolution  is  still  I'uling.  The  Chevalier  de  Saint  Villa 
got  jaundice  when  they  enumerated  the  new  dues  to  him. 
There  were  instances  also  in  our  country  that  partisans  with 
blue  blood  .  .  .  Fous  vous  rappelez !  Pani  Roch  Kossowska, 
Merlini's  daughter,  better  known  as  Orzelska  .  .  .  But  to  grant 
coronets  to  simple  officers  !  And  it  seems  that  the  same  will 
be  done  in  our  country.  ISIme.  de  Vauban  is  in  despair,  for 
her  loyal  attachment  to  the  Bourbons  was  hurt ;  if  it  were 
not  for  her  love  for  Prince  Joseph  Poniatowski,  vidgo  Pepi, 
she  would  have  left  for  Vienna.  Naturally  our  ladies  are  very 
satisfied  with  such  a  state  of  affairs,  and  many  a  heart  beats 
already  for  uniforms.  What  can  we  do?  In  the  meanwhile, 
there  is  no  order,  one  does  not  know  who  rules,  any  general 
does  what  he  likes.  Everywhere  spurs  and  swoi-ds  and  the  cry, 
War  !  dominate.     Parole  d'honneur  !     All  is  going  wrong  !  " 

Bolesha  became  silent  and  filled  his  glass.  Walewski  was 
sitting  motionless  looking  into  the  fire. 

The  silence  was  broken  by  the  valet  carrying  a  letter  and 
spectacles  on  a  silver  tray. 


8  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

The  Chamberlain  tore  the  envelope  nervously,  glanced  at  the 
letter,  and  said  abruptly — 

"Tell  her  ladyship  to  dress !     Call  Bapti&te  to  me." 

Bolesha  growled  at  the  title  "  her  ladyship."  The  Chamberlain 
turned.     "  You  say  .  .  .  ?  " 

"  I  am  delighted  with  your  wine  !  It  is  the  best  cheap  wine 
I  ever  drank." 

Walewski  laughed  at  the  hint. 

"  Excuse  me,  I  have  not  my  butler  with  me ;  we  came  here 
for  a  few  days  only.     The  Princess  writes  to  me." 

"About  the  marriage  of  your  grandson  with  the  Princess 
Radziwil." 

"  How  do  you  know  it  ? " 

"  It's  my  secret." 

"  Have  you  heard  anything  else .'' " 

"Only  this,  that  the  Countess  Ossolińska  proposes  to  push 
her  son  in  that  direction." 

"Then  I  do  not  understand  why  my  sister  .   .  ." 

"The  Princess  Jabłonowska  has  her  plans  ...  all  depends 
.  .  .  your  son  is  very  rich ;  but  should  the  estate  of  Walewice 
be  excluded  from  his  expected  inheritance,  then  your  grandson 
will  not  be  such  a  good  parti  as  he  seems  to  be  just  now." 

"  What  an  idea !  I  settled  on  my  wife  two  estates — the 
remainder  of  my  property  will  come  to  my  son  Ksaweiy." 

"  It  is  so  .  .  .  but  suppose  you  have  an  heir^  what  then  ? " 

W^alewski  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  You  are  joking  at  me.  Y^ou  think  that  my  wife's  beauty 
has  deprived  me  of  my  common  sense,  that  I  have  forgotten 
that  I  am  an  old  man." 

Bolesha  laughed,  and  closing  his  eyes,  cunningly  answered — 

"  I  would  not  make  any  wager.  One  of  the  most  beautiful 
women  in  Poland !  Parole  d'honnair  !  I  do  not  mean  to  hurt 
jour  feelings,  but  it  happens  very  often.  One  must  count  with 
this.     The  daughter  of  a  Prince  Radziwil  .  .  ." 

"Let  us  not  talk  about  that,"  interrupted  Walewski  drily. 
"  I  am  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  stop  such  an  interesting  conversa- 
tion, but  I  must  dress." 

"That's  right,  you  must  not  stand  on  ceremony  with  me, 
parole  d'//on?iciir  !     When  are  you  going  to  leave  town  ?  " 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  9 

"  In  three  or  four  days  ;  I  have  nothmg  to  do  here." 

"What  a  pity,  parole  d' honjieiir !  The  Carnival  will  be  un- 
usually brilliant  this  year.  I  am  your  servant !  I  hope  I  shall 
see  you  to-night.  Pray  present  my  respects  to  Madame  voire 
epouse." 

Bolesha  shook  hands  Avith  the  Chamberlain  and  went  out. 

Walewski  breathed  freely,  sat  in  the  armchair  and  closed  his 
eyes.  But  the  valet,  who  was  already  waiting  at  the  door, 
cleared  his  throat  significantly.  The  Chamberlain  woke  up  and 
looked  round. 

"  Ah  !  it's  you,  Baptiste,"  he  said  in  French. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  it's  time  to  dress." 

"W^ell,  then  I  must." 

Walewski  rose  slowly,  as  a  man  who  must  go  to  do  some  hard 
work,  and,  leaning  on  a  walking-stick,  went  to  the  dressing- 
room  ;  there  he  sat  in  an  armchair,  and  dropped  his  arms  to 
signify  that  his  valet  could  do  what  he  pleased  with  him. 

The  Frenchman  set  to  work  not  only  Avith  skill,  but  also  Avith 
the  familiarity  of  a  man  who  knoAvs  all  the  feeble  and  sore 
points  of  his  master.  The  task  was  a  very  difficult  one. 
Walewski  was  over  seventy  years  old,  different  ailments  had 
made  a  skeleton  of  him,  covered  Avith  parchment-like  skin,  and 
a  stormy  life  had  made  him  sour  and  irritable. 

WaleAvski  had  seen  much  in  his  life.  He  remembered  Briihl, 
the  Prime  Minister  of  Augustus  III.,  King  of  Poland;  he  kneAV 
well  the  last  king,  Stanislaus  PoniatOAvski ;  he  used  to  be  a 
frequent  guest  in  his  Łazienki  Palace,  and  never  missed  a  ball 
or  a  levee ;  he  Avas  a  good  companion  to  men,  and  very  much 
liked  by  the  ladies,  perhaps  too  impressionable  to  their 
charms.  That  kind  of  fast  living  had  some  effect  on  his 
financial  position,  but  as  he  was  the  grandson  in  direct  line  of 
Joseph  Colonna  WaleAvski,  Palatine  of  Lenczyca,  who  married 
the  enormously  rich  Panna  Grabska,  and  as  he  inherited  also 
from  a  cousin,  he  could  afford  to  spend  lavishly  and  still  to  be 
very  rich,  the  more  so  as  he  had  some  other  inheritance  from 
collateral  branches  of  the  family. 

Walewski's  riches  had  this  effect  upon  him,  that  he  forgot  his 
old  age,  and  that  he  did  not  hesitate  to  marry  for  a  third  time, 
although   he  Avas  seventy-eight  years  old,  his  neighbour  Pani 


10  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Lonoz}Tiska's  daugliter^  whose  estate^  Kiernozia^  was  mortgaged 
to  the  last  penny. 

Only  a  few  weeks  after  this  merry  wedding  Pan  Walewski  had 
understood  that  he  was  very  old.  Up  to  that  time  face  powder, 
red  paintj  corsets,  and  certain  drugs  sufficed  in  a  certain  degree 
to  make  him  look  younger,  when  suddenly  even  those  means 
became  insufficient.  Then  he  got  hold  of  the  famous  Baptiste, 
who  was  in  the  service  of  the  Prince  de  Ligne.  The  French- 
man did  his  best.  It  was  not  difficult  for  him  to  make  Pan 
Walewski  look  a  well-preserved  husband,  but  the  difficulty  was 
to  do  as  he  wished,  to  be  as  young  as  his  twenty  years'  old 
wife. 

There  were  days  that  Pan  Walewski  would  lose  his  faith  in 
Baptiste,  and  would  not  allow  himself  to  be  dressed  by  him,  but 
it  was  only  when  in  Walewice  he  could  order  the  doors  of  his 
chateau  to  be  shut  and  not  receive  anybody. 

Closeted  in  his  apartments,  he  would  read  novels,  would  try 
to  cure  himself,  would  listen  to  long  reports  of  what  "her 
lad3"ship  "  w^as  doing,  would  doze,  and  delight  in  all  the  habits 
of  old  age. 

But  as  soon  as  he  was  obliged  to  perform  some  social  duty, 
when  he  was  to  show  himself  to  the  people,  he  would  jump 
from  his  soft  chair,  would  throw  away  the  warm  wraps  with 
which  he  was  enveloped,  and  call  Baptiste. 

That  evening  the  French  valet  was  obliged  to  work  harder 
than  ever,  for  Pan  Walewski  was  tired  by  the  journey,  irritated 
by  the  conversation  with  Bolesha,  and  therefore  suffering  more 
than  ever.  Baptiste  began  by  administering  refreshing  salts  to 
him  and  rubbing  his  stiff  limbs,  for  the  Chamberlain  told  him 
that  he  would  not  take  his  walking-stick  to  the  Princess's  ball. 

More  than  an  hour  passed,  and  Baptiste  had  not  yet  finished 
his  work.  Walewski  interrupted  him  twice,  telling  him  that  he 
would  not  go  to  the  ball ;  but  the  respect  for  the  drawing-room 
took  the  upper  hand  over  the  old  courtier.  The  Princess 
counted  on  him,  his  son  Ksawery  begged  him  to  come,  some 
one  of  the  Radziwil  family  could  say  that  there  was  lack  of 
love  between  father  and  son,  and  the  gossip  would  injure  his 
matrimonial  plans  with  the  young  Princess.  They  were  already 
gossiping  about  them,  as  he  learned  from  Bolesha. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  11 

The  Chamberlain  was  thinking  with  fear  how  many  times  he 
would  be  obliged  to  bow  at  that  ball,  how  many  tiresome  hours 
he  would  be  obliged  to  spend  there,  and  all  that  he  was  going 
to  undergo  for  Ksawery,  or  rather  for  the  sake  of  an  alliance 
with  the  Radziwils  ;  for  the  Chamberlain  had  been  angry  with 
his  son  for  some  time  past. 

As  long  as  Ksawery  Vv^as  a  bachelor  and  his  father  not  married 
their  relations  were  most  pleasant,  but  when  Ksawery  manied 
Panna  Wodzińska  and  had  children,  and  then  when  later  on 
his  father  took  the  fancy  also  to  marry  a  young  wife,  he  was 
irritated  at  the  thought  that  he  was  a  grandfather.  Then 
Ksawery  was  fond  of  talking  about  past  times  and  of  mention- 
ing precise  dates  on  every  opportunity,  which  habit  was  the 
principal  cause  of  bad  relations  between  father  and  son. 

Only  the  Princess  Jabłonowska,  Walewski's  sister,  undertook 
to  set  to  rights  everything,  or  rather  not  to  permit  that  such 
a  "goose"  as  was  his  young  wife  should  have  any  influence 
over  him  and  wrong  Ksawery's  sons. 

The  Princess  knew  her  brother's  feeble  side,  and  she  almost 
succeeded. 

For  three  weeks  letters  were  exchanged  between  her  and 
Pan  Walewski,  and  finally  he  was  persuaded  to  come  to  Warsaw. 
The  prestige  of  the  Radziwils  did  that. 

It  is  true  that  Pan  Walewski  traced  his  family  to  the  Roman 
patricians,  and  he  was  fond  of  repeating  that  there  was  hardly 
another  family  as  old  as  his.  However,  the  hope  of  an  alliance 
with  the  Radziwils  drove  away  his  indifference  towards  his  son 
and  grandsons  ;  it  awoke  the  courtier's  ambitions. 

Full  two  hours  had  passed  when  the  Chamberlain,  perfumed, 
powdered,  and  painted,  looked  into  a  mirror,  and  was  obliged 
to  say  to  himself  that  he  looked  wonderfully  young.  His  waist, 
straightened  by  a  corset,  made  him  look  much  yoimger ;  a  grey 
evening  dress  was  becoming  to  him,  and  the  blue  ribbon  of 
the  Order  was  in  beautiful  contrast  with  his  gold  waistcoat, 
while  the  lace  of  his  shirt  covered  discreetly  the  diamond 
buttons ;  only  his  face  seemed  to  him  to  be  too  much  painted, 
and  he  dared  to  make  a  remark  about  it  to  Baptiste,  who  smiled 
ironically,  and  said  in  a  tone  that  permitted  no  reply — 

"It  can't  be  otherwise." 


12  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Pan  Walewski  siglied^  took  a  snuff-box  artistically  chiselled 
and  set  with  diamondSj  a  present  from  the  late  king^  and^  trying 
to  stop  his  coughing  with  a  very  fine  handkerchief^  dragged  his 
feet  to  his  wife's  apartments. 

Pani  Walewska  was  already  waiting  for  her  husband,  and  as 
he  entered  her  boudoir  she  rose  and  said — 

"  Then  we  are  going  ?  " 

Pan  Walewski  wanted  to  answer  angrily,  as  was  his  custom, 
but,  enraptured  by  his  wife's  beauty,  stopped,  put  his  eyeglass 
to  his  eye,  and  looked  at  his  wife.  Never  before  had  he  found 
her  as  beautiful  as  that  night. 

Pani  Walewska  blushed  under  the  influence  of  the  cynical 
look  of  her  husband,  a  shiver  ran  through  her  beautiful  face 
and  her  big,  dark  sapphire  eyes,  hid  under  long  lashes. 

Pan  Walewski  laughed  from  sheer  pleasure.  "  Charmante  ! 
Chamiante  !"  he  whispered,  coughing  discreetly;  and  coming 
near  his  wife,  he  put  his  arm  round  her  waist  and  wanted  to 
kiss  her  with  his  toothless  mouth. 

Pani  Walewska  shivered  with  aversion  and  leaned  backwards  ; 
her  husband  tottered  and  kept  his  equilibrium  with  an  effort. 

"  You  escape  !  "  he  muttered,  laugliing  quietly.  "  I  shall  find 
you  !  By  the  way,  again  a  white  dress !  You  have  a  fancy  for 
that  colour.     Why  do  you  not  wear  the  diamond  necklace  }  " 

"  I  have  told  you  so  many  times  that  I  do  not  like  it." 

*'  You  do  not  like  it !  The  idea  !  It  is  a  family  jewel,  a 
costly  souvenir  from  my  grandmother,  the  Palatine  of  Lenczyca." 

"  You  must  excuse  me  this  time." 

"Every  time  you  repeat  'this  time.'  After  all,  that  modesty 
is  becoming  to  you  ;  one  can  admire  you,  although  you  are  too 
sentimental.  You  must  remember  that  at  the  Princess's  ball 
the  whole  of  society  will  be  gathered." 

"  It  is  just  the  same  to  me." 

"  Very  well !  I  do  not  mean  that  you  should  care  for  com- 
pliiuents,  but  you  must  remember  your  social  position — you  are 
a  Walewska !  You  must  take  care  of  your  frocks,  especially 
when  there  is  a  question  about  marrying  my  grandson  with  a 
Rad/.iwil." 

At  the  sound  of  the  word  "grandson"  Pani  W'alewska  looked 
at  her  husband  with  astonishment,  and  wished  to  ask  him  some 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  13 

question^  but  she  refrained  from  doing  so.  Pan  Walewski 
finished  his  admonition  by  opening  and  closing  his  snuff-box. 

"  Let  it  be  for  to-night.  I  forgive  you,  for  you  are  looking 
charming,  you  do  not  know  how  beautiful  you  are.  You  are 
still  lacking  in  that  animation  which  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz  has. 
Well,  let  us  be  going.     Take  my  arm,  and  do  not  go  quickly." 

The  Chamberlain,  having  become  suddenly  animated,  put  his 
fur  overcoat  on  quickly,  and  sat  beside  his  wife  in  the  carriage. 

He  was  highly  pleased  to  have  such  a  beautiful  wife,  and  that 
everybody  should  envy  his  good  luck. 

Under  the  influence  of  such  thoughts  he  became  suddenly 
rejuvenated,  leaned  towards  his  wife  and  tried  to  find  more 
caressing  words  while  giving  her  some  instructions. 

"You  must  be  very  attentive  to  the  Princess,  for  she  is  our 
nearest  relation.  She  is  very  fond  of  you ;  she  told  me  so 
several  times  in  her  letters." 

"I  always  try  to  please  her." 

"  Yes,  but  there  was  something  between  you  and  her.  The 
Princess  is  perfect  in  every  respect.  You  are  younger  ;  you 
have  married  into  a  great  family ;  you  must  try  to  win  people 
to  your  side  and  not  mind  every  word." 

"Sometimes  it  is  difficult,"  said  Pani  Walewska.  "The 
Princess  was  prejudiced  against  me." 

"  It  only  seemed  so  to  you.  If  there  was  anything,  it  was 
because  of  her  sisterly  love  towards  me." 

Here  the  Chamberlain  stopped  suddenly  short,  having  re- 
membered his  sister's  efforts  to  break  his  engagement  with 
Panna  Lonczynska,  All  the  fears  of  the  Princess  came  to  his 
mind.  Until  now  he  had  no  reason  to  complain,  for  his  wife 
was  submissive,  and  her  only  fault  was  the  crying,  which  so  often 
dulled  her  bright  eyes ;  her  only  hobbies  were  books  and  the 
spinet.  The  Chamberlain  took  credit  to  himself  for  all  his 
wife's  qualities,  according  to  his  way  of  looking  at  things ;  he 
watched  her  carefully,  and  did  not  give  her  any  opportunity 
to  overstep  the  boundaries  of  his  estate.  Their  going  to  the 
ball  to-day  was  his  wife's  first  step  on  the  slippery  parquet  of 
the  drawing-room. 

The  Chamberlain  was  seized  with  uneasiness.  For  the  first 
time  he  was  afraid  of  society,  without  which  formerly  he  could 


14  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

not  live.  There  was  a  moment  when  he  wanted  to  give  the 
order  to  return  home,  and  then  to  hide  his  treasure  and  his  old 
age ;  but  it  was  too  late,  for  the  carriage  stopped  at  the  brightly 
illuminated  portico  of  the  Princess's  mansion.  The  Chamberlain 
coughed,  and  began  to  alight  slowly. 

On  their  entering  the  drawing-room  they  were  welcomed  by 
the  Princess — a  short,  thin,  overdressed,  and  too-much-painted 
lady. 

"  How  nice  of  you !  I  am  very  much  obliged  for  your 
coming.  I  thought  you  would  not  come.  Chere  Marie,  toujours 
belle  !  I  should  have  been  so  unhappy  without  you.  Xavier  was 
already  uneasy.   ..." 

The  Chamberlain  said  a  few  words,  kissed  his  sister's  hand 
ceremoniously,  and  then  entered  the  ballroom.  They  were 
greeted  by  a  slight  whispering.  Pan  Walewski  glided  quite 
boldly  in,  bowing  to  the  right  and  to  the  left.  His  wife,  under 
the  fire  of  persistent  looks  spying  her  every  movement,  every 
part  of  her  dress,  grew  pale,  and  walked  beside  her  husband 
not  seeing  anybody  nor  hearing  complimentary  whispers.  The 
Princess's  drawing-room  seemed  to  her  to  be  a  brilliant  abyss, 
filled  up  with  bright  rustling  silk,  and  with  the  noise  of  dis- 
orderly conversation,  in  which  she  felt  a  stranger  and  exposed 
to  malicious  remarks  and  biting  criticism.  It  was  the  same 
world  through  which  she  was  obliged  to  walk  the  day  of  her 
wedding — cold,  grand  mondc. 

The  Chamberlain  seated  his  wife  on  a  settee  between  the 
Princess  Dominik  Radziwil  and  the  Countess  Alexandre 
Tyszkiewicz,  and  having  sat  in  an  armchair  looked  trium- 
phantly round  him.  His  wife  was  the  most  beautiful.  There 
were,  however,  many  beautiful  ladies  that  evening,  and  among 
them  those  whose  beauty  was  famous  throughout  the  country, 
such  as  Pani  Sobolewska,  Constance  Countess  Lubieńska, 
Vicenty  Countess  Krasińska,  and  Pani  Josei)h  Rautenstrauch, 
Pani  Łuszczewska,  and  the  two  Countesses  Michel  and  Stanislaus 
Potocki,  not  counting  young  ladies  who,  though  not  able  to 
secure  the  opinion  of  connoisseurs,  had  their  admirers. 

The  Chamberlain's  trium])h,  however,  was  short.  His  son 
came  to  greet  him,  and  then  he  began  a  conversation,  making 
all  possible  efforts  to  mark  his  words  with  cordiality. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  15 

Then  came  his  son  Kazimierz^  and  his  grandson,  who  Avas 
followed  by  numerous  acquaintances  and  those  who  thought  it 
their  duty  to  be  introduced  to  the  Chamberlain.  Pan  Walewski 
became  animated,  and  having  sat  beside  the  Princess  Dominik 
Radziwil,  displayed  all  his  drawing-room  art  of  conversation. 

The  gathering  at  the  Princess  Jablonowska's  was  very 
numerous — the  whole  of  Warsovian  society  responded  to  her 
invitation,  for  in  her  drawing-rooms  they  could  get  the  latest 
news,  meet  remarkable  and  famous  people,  such  as  Prince 
Borghese  and  Talleyrand,  who  lived  in  the  Princess's  mansion 
during  their  sojourn  in  Warsaw. 

Consequently,  the  St.  Sylvester  ball  was  brilliant.  From  the 
aged  Marshal  Małachowski  down  to  youths  just  entering  the 
lists  of  life,  everybody  came,  and  formed  groups  round  richly 
embroidered  French  uniforms.  And  when  about  midnight 
Prince  Borghese  and  the  Prince  de  Berg  came  with  Talleyrand, 
the  guests  surrounded  them,  trying  to  gain  their  favours. 


CHAPTER   II 

IN  the  meanwhile^  Pani  Walewska,  having  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  Countess  Alexandre  Potocka,  popularly  called 
by  her  maiden  name  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz,  stood  her  first  attacks 
bravely,  and  slowly  regained  her  presence  of  mind,  when  Anetka 
began  questioning  her  wittily  about  her  secluded  life  in  Walewice. 

Pani  Walewska  defended  herself  as  best  she  could,  but  the 
Countess  Potocka  was  not  satisfied  with  evasive  answers,  and 
said — 

"  To  be  sure,  your  husband  is  unrivalled !  What  animation, 
what  grace  in  his  movements,  what  charm  in  his  manners ;  the 
young  men  should  look  on  him  as  a  model." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  in  the  direction  where  her  husband 
was  sitting  with  the  Princess  Radziwil,  and  blushed. 

Anetka  pretended  not  to  see. 

"  Pray,  judge  for  yourself — there  to  the  right  is  Pan  Kazimierz 
Walewski,  the  grandson.  Don't  you  think  one  can  see  that  time 
is  weighing  upon  him?    But  permit  me  to  introduce  him  to  you.' 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  answer  something,  but  the  Countess 
Potocka  had  already  made  a  graceful  movement  with  her  fan 
towards  Pan  Walewski. 

''^  Monsieur  Casimir!"  solemnly  began  the  Countess  Potocka. 
"Pray  forgive  my  calling  you,  but  I  considered  it  to  be  my 
duty  to  introduce  you  to  our  dear  Pani  Walewska." 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged,"  gabbled  Pan  Kazimierz  Walewski, 
trying  to  adorn  his  withered  face  with  a  stupid  smile.  "  I  had 
just  the  honour  .   .   ." 

"  What  a  blunder  !  "  burst  out  Anetka,  laughing.  "  C' est 
voire  grandę  mere  !  Excuse  me,  my  dearest,  I  have  introduced 
your  grandson  to  you.     Ma  foi,  I  did  not  think  of  it !  " 

Pani    Walewska's    eyes   filled    with    tears,   whilst  the  young 

i6 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  17 

Walewski,  trying  to  be  amiable,  paid  her  a  stupid  compliment, 
calling  her  "  beautiful  grandmother." 

Anetka  could  not  contain  herself  any  longer,  and,  excusing 
herself,  she  flew  towards  Pani  Sobolewska,  that  she  might 
share  the  amusing  prank  which  she  had  played  on  "  a  country 
lady," 

Pani  Sobolewska  was  very  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  of 
wagging  her  sharp  tongue,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  drawing- 
i-oom  was  filled  with  whispers  and  malicious  laughter.  Adroitly 
repeated  and  adorned,  the  news  amused  everybody.  All  eyes 
were  turned  again  toward  Pani  Walewska,  and  the  Chamberlain 
became  a  target  for  ironical  smiles,  while  the  gentlemen  crowded 
round  his  wife. 

Pani  Walewska  was  blushing,  and  frightened  under  the  smiles 
and  mien  of  these  men,  for  every  one  of  them  seemed  to  cry 
victory  by  their  forbearing  smiles,  ambiguous  words,  and  in- 
truding looks.  The  most  persevering  and  insistent,  however, 
was  a  little  fat  Frenchman,  Herceau,  who  having  seated  himself 
beside  Pani  WalcAvska,  and  turning  his  thumbs  round  each 
other,  paid  her  compliments,  sighed,  and  spoke  about  the  rose 
that  blossomed  in  the  dusk  of  cold  December ;  about  the 
longing  which,  after  years  of  wandering,  falls  at  the  feet  of 
an  ideal  and  vanishes  in  old  age ;  about  his  first  hour  of  happi- 
ness found  in  a  foreign  country  after  years  of  banishment. 

For  some  time  Pani  Walewska  pretended  that  she  did  not 
understand  the  Frenchman,  but  when  he  became  more  precise 
about  his  sentiments,  thinking  her  short  answers  were  such  as  to 
give  him  more  courage.  Pani  Walewska  interrupted  him  quietly, 
saying— 

"  Can  I  be  frank  with  you  .''  " 

"  I  would  consider  it  a  favour  !  " 

"  You  seem  only  to  care  to  talk  about  love." 

"  Yes,  to-day.  Are  you  surprised  ?  The  flower  of  the  heart 
must  turn  towards  the  sun,  even  if  it  has  to  wither." 

"  I  don't  think  you  are  afraid  of  that." 

''For  even  that  alternative  would  be  a  paradise  for  me.  It 
is  better  to  lose  the  chance  of  entering  Paradise,  than  not  to 
see  it  at  all." 

"  I  think  differently." 
c 


18  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  You  are  cruel.  .  .  .  You  attract  and  repulse.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  made  no  rejjly,  but  looked  round  helplessly 
for  someone  to  come  to  her  rescue.  Help  arrived  in  the  person 
of  her  hostess,  whoj  having  seized  the  thread  of  the  gossip, 
thought  proper  to  interfere,  and  having  taken  the  Chamberlain's 
wife  aside  she  said  sweetly — 

"  Chere  Marie !  You  must  excuse  me,  but  you  ought  not  to 
give  the  gossipers  an  opportunity  !  My  poor  brother  will  be 
very  upset.  You  are  imprudent  .  .  .  and  the  people  are  mali- 
cious. ...  I  was  obliged  to  explain  to  the  Princess  Dominik." 

"  I  do  not  understand  what  you  mean,"  interrupted  Pani 
Walewska,  almost  crying. 

"Well,  I  am  not  going  to  make  any  reproaches.  My  poor 
brother  was  prepared  for  some  indulgence,  but  pray,  you  must 
try  to  win  Jeannette  Radziwil,  for  the  Ossolinskis  are  intriguing. 
.  .  .  Let  us  go  to  the  red  boudoir.  .  .  .  Only  believe  me  .  .  . 
Prince  Borghese  was  looking  much  at  you,  and  even  Murat. 
...  It  would  need  only  some  due  of  yesterday  to  fall  in  love 
with  you.  .  .  .  My  poor  brotlier  would  pay  for  that  with  his 
death.  .   .  ." 

Princess  Jabłonowska,  not  permitting  Pani  Walewska  to 
say  a  word,  conducted  her  to  a  side  boudoir,  where  a  group  of 
young  ladies,  having  escaped  the  solemnity  of  the  drawing- 
room,  were  chatting  with  animation  with  the  young  men  who 
were  paying  them  attention.  Then  the  Princess  pointed  out  to 
Pani  Walewska  a  small,  dark-haired  lady,  dressed  in  pale  blue, 
and  chatting  with  a  beardless  youth.     She  whispered — 

"Do  you  see  how  constant  is  the  young  Ossohnski  to  her? 
Casimir  is  incorrigible  ! "  Then  coming  to  the  dark-haired 
girl  she  said,  with  Avarm  cordiality — 

"  Dear  Jeannette,  I  am  looking  for  you  ...  I  have  missed 
your  sweet  face  so  much.  Pani  Anastazy  Walewska  wished  to 
meet  you." 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  was  ready  to  curtsey  to  the  young 
Princess,  when  suddenly  she  felt  her  arms  round  her  neck. 

"  Mary !  Then  it's  you  !  Is  this  the  way  you  greet  your 
Jeannette  ! " 

Only  at  this  moment  did  Pani  Walewska  recognise  her  best 
friend  from  boarding-school. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  19 

"  Then  you  are  old  friends ! "  said  the  Princess  sneeringly. 
"  You  did  not  tell  me  !  " 

''I  did  not  know  that  the  question  was  about  my  dear 
Jeannette." 

Princess  Radziwil  laughed  heartily. 

''The  Princess  Palatine  introduced  you  so  solemnly  that  I  was 
afraid  to  kiss  you." 

"  I  am  very  glad/'  said  the  Princess  smilingly.  "  Now  enjoy 
yourselves  together  ;  I  will  not  interfere." 

The  two  friends  did  not  need  to  be  encouraged  in  that 
respect.  They  left  the  group^  and^  having  seated  themselves 
on  a  settee  in  a  corner^  began  to  question  each  other,  jumping 
from  one  subject  to  another,  recollecting  times  spent  over 
Filassier's  educational  dictionary,  stiff  conversation,  and  French 
notebooks. 

Jeannette  told  her  friend  about  all  her  troubles,  beginning 
with  frocks  which  that  unbearable  Joubert  had  not  yet  de- 
livered, and  ending  by  telling  her  of  the  puzzling  humour  of 
Victor  Ossoliński,  who  was  prepossessed  with  an  opinion  against 
a  Walewski,  although  very  unjustly  indeed. 

Having  pronounced  the  name  Walewski,  Jeannette  stopped 
and  asked  suddenly — 

"  But  you  are  a  Walewska  also  !     Perhaps  it  is  your  cousin  .''  " 

"As  it  seems  !  "  answered  evasively  the  Chamberlain's  wife. 

"  You  must  introduce  me  to  your  husband.     Is  he  here .''  " 

"  Yes,  he  is." 

"  Very  well,  then.  You  have  not  changed  at  all.  It  is  only 
two  Aveeks  since  we  arrived.  We  could  not  get  our  passports ! 
So  alarming !  Interrogations  at  every  gate  ;  they  stopped  us 
several  times ;  plenty  of  soldiers  on  every  road.  If  it  had  not 
been  for  General  Benigsen's  letter,  we  could  not  have  reached 
Warsaw !  How  glad  I  am  to  see  you !  I  felt  so  lonely  here  ! 
Well,  kiss  me  !  Only  you  are  a  married  lady.  .  .  .  Madame  .  .  . 
what.''" 

"Anastazy  Walewska." 

"  Wait  .  .  .  are  you  not  a  relation  of  that  Walewska  ...  a 
while  ago  Victor  told  ?  .  .  .  Monsieur  Victor  ! " 

A  youth  standing  not  far  off  came  and  bowed. 

'•  You  have  deigned  to  call  me." 


20  NAPOLEONS  LOVE   STORY 

"Yes,  I  have  deigned!"  affinned  the  Princess  Kadziwil  with 
comical  gravity.  "  You  have  to  bow  as  graciously  as  you  can. 
.  .  .  Voild.  Chevalier  Victor  Ossoliński  .  .  .  most  unbearable 
.  .  .  and  this  is  my  dearest  friend,  Mary  Lonczynska.  .  .  .  Yes ! 
For  me  always  dear,  sweet,  good-hearted  Mary." 

"  I  am !  .  .  ." 

"  Obstinate,"  interrupted  Jeannelte,  slapping  Ossolinski's  hand 
slightly.  "  You  are  called  here  to  repeat  the  story  about  grand- 
mother and  grandson." 

"  It  was  during  the  Sylvester  night  at  the  Princess  Palatine's. 
Chevalier  Walewski  having  noticed  a  lady  of  extraordinary 
beauty,  fell  in  love,  threw  himself  at  her  feet,  kissed  the  hem 
of  her  dress  .  .  .  and  offered,  besides  himself,  all  he  had  and 
what  he  expected  to  inherit.  The  lady  listened  indulgently, 
but  excused  herself  as  she  was  married.  Chevalier  Walewski 
proposed  divorce.  The  lady  consented.  But  suddenly  there 
appeared  on  the  scene  a  brother  of  Chevalier  Walewski,  and 
scolded  him — for  the  lady  is  their  grandmother.  Moral :  a 
grandson  must  not  come  into  this  world  before  his  grand- 
mother." 

Jeannette  was  bursting  with  laughter.  Pani  Walewska  grew 
pale  and  nearly  fainted.     The  Princess  was  frightened. 

"  Mary,  what  is  the  matter  with  you  ?  " 

"Nothing  —  it  will  pass,"  she  muttered  with  an  effort. 
"Water!" 

Ossoliński  rushed  for  water. 

Pani  Walewski  recovered,  and  explained  that  she  was  tired 
by  a  long  journey. 

The  Princess,  having  exchanged  a  significant  look  with 
Ossoliński,  began  to  talk  about  Napoleon. 

Ossolinski's  eyes  became  brighter. 

"  Mary,  have  you  seen  the  Prince  of  Berg  ? "  said  the  Princess, 
not  permitting  Ossoliński  to  talk. 

"  Yes,  from  afar." 

"And  I  have  chatted  with  him  for  a  whole  hour  ...  he  is 
a  little  unnatural  in  his  manners  .  .  .  but  he  is  nothing  com- 
pared with  the  Emperor,  whose  look  is  so  penetrating  that  our 
most  eloquent  men  are  silent  in  his  presence.  I  should  like  so 
much  to  see  him." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  21 

''There  will  be  plenty  of  opportunities/'  said  Ossoliński,  "for 
to-morrow  evening  he  is  coming  from  Pułtusk.  There  will  be 
a  reception  in  the  Castle." 

"  If  only  mother  would  take  me  ...  or  rather,  if  we  should 
receive  an  invitation !  as  it  seems  the  Emperor  does  not  like 
ladies.  The  list  of  the  invited  wiU  not  be  very  long.  .  .  .  Ah! 
I  shall  be  so  unhappy.  ..." 

"  But  there  cannot  be  a  doubt/'  said  Ossoliński,  trying  to  con- 
sole her.     "  You  will  not  be  forgotten." 

"  Who  knows  ?  Mamma  does  not  like  to  take  me  everywhere, 
and  I  am  so  anxious  to  see  everything,  especially  Napoleon." 

"  It  is  worse  with  me,  and  I  do  not  complain,"  said  Ossoliński, 
tugging  impatiently  at  the  down  on  his  upper  lip. 

"  Why  ?  " 

"  A  guard  of  honour  is  to  be  formed.  I  wished  to  enlist,  and 
they  thought  that  I  was  too  young  yet." 

"The  idea  !  "  exclaimed  Jeannette  indignantly. 

"  Therefore  I  have  not  the  slightest  chance  of  seeing  him,  for, 
even  when  he  passes  through  the  streets,  it  will  be  impossible 
to  have  a  glance  at  him  on  account  of  the  big  crowds.  Well, 
when  one  has  such  an  aunt !  .  .  ." 

"  Cousin ! " 

"But  I  shall  take  advantage  of  the  first  opportunity,  and  shall 
enlist  in  the  great  army ;  I  shall  go  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

Jeannette  blushed,  and  having  dropped  her  bright  eyes, 
whispered — 

"  Would  you  do  it  ? " 

"  Well  ...  I  do  not  know,  though  !  " 

"And  you,  Mary?"  asked  the  Princess  of  Pani  Walewska, 
who  silently  listened  to  the  conversation  of  the  young  people. 
"  I  presume  you  will  be  invited  with  your  husband  to  the  recep- 
tion.   Ah,  how  much  I  would  like  to  be  a  married  woman!" 

"  I  do  not  think  so,"  answered  Pani  Walewska  quietly. 
"To-morrow  we  return  to  Walewice." 

"You  will  not  wait  for  Napoleon's  reception  at  the  Castle  ?  " 

"  No,  my  husband  is  not  well ;  and  then,  as  you  know,  we  do 
not  go  out  much." 

"Ah,  yes,"  affirmed  the  Princess,  having  recollected  that  her 
friend  came  from  a  not  very  rich,  although  an  old  family. 


22  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

"  But  perhaps  it  will  be  worth  your  while  to  sacrifice  some- 
thing. The  Princess  Palatine  says  that  there  never  will  be 
another  such  chance  of  seeing  so  many  heroes  all  at  once." 

"  I  should  like  very  much  ...  to  see  Napoleon,  at  least ! 
Centuries  will  pass  before  another  like  him  will  be  born.  Then 
he  comes  here  for  us.  ..." 

"  That  is  uncertain,  they  say.  The  Princess  Palatine  calls 
him  simply  a  usurper  and  a  revolutionist.  Ah  !  you  should 
hear  what  M.  de  Talleyrand  says  of  him  !  Simply  this,  that  it 
is  not  certain  whether  his  family  comes  from  the  nobility  or 
not." 

"  It  does  not  lessen  his  glory." 

"Nor  my  curiosity." 

"  Yours  will  be  satisfied." 

"  I  will  give  you  advice,"  said  Ossoliński. 

"We  are  listening." 

"  Let  us  go  to-morrow  to  meet  the  Emperor  ! " 

"  But  where  to.''  " 

"One  could  ascertain  about  the  hour  of  his  coming.  ...  I 
will  order  my  best  horses,  a  sledge,  and  I  will  take  you  for  a 
drive." 

"  A  capital  idea  !  Cousin,  you  are  charming  !  Mary,  do  you 
hear?  We  shall  see  him  without  being  obliged  to  make  the 
three  bows.  Pani  Sobolewska  showed  mamma — three  forward, 
three  backwards  .  .  .  very  diflicult !  .  .  .  The  Princess  Pala- 
tine never  heard  of  such  ...  at  our  Court  there  were  only 
two.  .  .  .  We  shall  bow  to  the  Emperor  from  the  sledge  and 
look  into  his  eyes.     He  must  have  dreadful  eyes  !     Then,  to- 


morrow 


"You  must  not  count  on  me — I  shall  leave  with  my  husband 
in  the  morning." 

"  Do  not  be  stubborn !  I  shall  manage  your  tyrannical 
husband.  But  we  must  arrange  the  plan  of  our  expedition. 
Cousin  will  come  to  take  us  for  a  drive,  only  you  must  not 
betray  us.     Where  shall  we  go  .^  " 

"We  shall  know  that  at  once,  only  we  must  admit  somebody 
into  our  plot ;  somebody  discreet  and  well-informed.  I  have 
him !     Chevalier  Gorayski.     I  shall  bring  him  here  at  once." 

"Victor  is  charming,"  said  the  Princess  confidentially,  when 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  23 

Ossoliński  left  them^  not  having  noticed  that  Pani  Walewska 
grew  pale.  "  He  is  very  good  at  keeping  a  secret ;  I  have  tried 
him.  What  a  pity  they  think  him  too  young.  He  is  seventeen 
years  old  ;  exactly  my  age." 

Pani  Walewska  had  not  time  to  answer  her  friend  before 
Ossoliński  brought  a  tall  young  man,  with  a  sad  expression  in 
his  big  black  eyeSj  and  introduced  him  solemnly — • 

"  Chevalier  Gorayski." 

"  I  am  very  glad/'  said  Jeannette,  and  having  now  seen  Pani 
Walewska's  embarrassment^  she  added,  "as  it  seems  you  have 
met  before." 

''Yes,  I  have  had  the  honour,"  answered  Gorayski,  bowing. 

"  In  that  case  we  have  a  sure  ally.  There  is  a  plot  against 
the  Emperor !  Awful !  Secret  plot.  .  .  .  You  must  take  an 
oath  that  you  will  not  betray  it.  Otherwise  there  will  fall  upon 
us  the  thunderbolts  of  the  wrath  of  my  mother,  my  cousin's 
aunt,  and  the  vengeance  of  Pani  Walewska's  husband  and  the 
anathemas  of  all  the  old-fashioned  people." 

"Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  tell  me  what  the  question  is 
about.''  ..." 

Jeannette  burst  into  hearty  laughter  at  Gorayski's  solemnity, 
and  then  explained  their  plan  of  meeting  Napoleon,  begging 
him  to  help  them  by  his  experience. 

Gorayski  listened  patiently,  and  said  that  as  he  belonged 
to  the  guard  of  honour  he  would  be  able  to  conduct  them 
over  the  bridge,  which  without  him  would  not  be  easy  for 
them  to  pass,  as  there  were  a  great  quantity  of  stores  being 
brought  in  for  the  army.  They  must  not,  however,  be  too 
late,  for  Napoleon's  habit  was  always  to  be  before  the  appointed 
time. 

While  the  Princess  was  discussing  the  details  of  the  excursion 
with  Ossoliński,  Gorayski  was  obliged  to  turn  to  Pani  Walewska, 
and  he  said  with  an  effort — 

"  Have  you  been  long  in  Warsaw  }  " 

"We  came  to-day,"  answered  Pani  Walewska,  without  raising 
his  eyes.     "  And  you .''  " 

"A  fortnight  since,  I  left  home." 

"  You  have  chosen  a  good  opportunity." 

*'Kov/  }     I  do  not  understand." 


24  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"Well,  formerly  there  was  nothing  to  be  done,  there  was  no 
attraction.   .   .   ." 

"  Formerly  ?  It  seems  to  me  that  there  was  an  attraction. 
I  am  an  egotist  when  I  speak  in  that  way,  but  who  in  my  place 
would  not  be  egotistical?" 

Pani  Walewska  blushed. 

"  One  must  conquer  the  egotism  and  turn  one's  eyes  towards 
great,  sublime  things." 

"  And  you,  madame,  you,  Mary,  .  .  .  are  you  happy  }  " 

Pani  Walewska  shivered. 

"  You  wish  me  to  answer  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  would  like  to  hear  it  from  your  lips." 

Pani  Walewska  lifted  her  shapely  head,  and  said  firmly — 

"  Yes,  I  am." 

Gorayski  dropped  his  head,  and  said  bitterly — 

"  If  it  is  so,  then  1  am  very  glad." 

"I  was  certain  that  such  an  answer  would  suffice." 

"  For  it  must !  Mary,  you  tremble  !  Tell  me  why  you  con- 
tradict your  own  heart  .^  It  seemed  to  you  that  the  glitter  of 
riches  would  quench  in  you  the  remorse  aroused  for  a  broken 
oath .''  You  have  trampled  light-heartedly  over  my  happiness, 
but  have  you  assured  your  own  ?  Excuse  me,  for  I  have  no 
right  to  talk  to  you  like  this,  but  let  me  have  at  least  the  con- 
solation of  knowing  that  then  you  were  sincere,  that  then  you 
have  .  .  ." 

''Stop  !  "  she  interrupted  Avith  an  effort. 

"  You  are  afraid  of  remorse .''  " 

"  No,  of  memories  !  " 

"  I  live  only  by  them." 

"  You  are  wrong !  The  roads  are  open  to  you,  you  have 
hundreds  of  means  for  finding  consolation  and  oblivion." 

"  I  do  not  know  how  to  thank  you,  madame,  for  such  good 
advice,"  answered  Gorayski  ironically. 

"You  can  sneer  if  you  like,  but  were  I  in  your  place,  I 
would  not  hesitate  a  minute  .   .  ." 

"  You  would  enlist  in  the  army  !  "  finished  Gorayski. 

"You  have  guessed,  Monsieur  le  Chevalier,  for,  perhaps,  military 
service  was  never  before  so  noble.  Look,  our  whole  country 
was  in  a  lethargy ;  it  seemed  as  though  it   was  dead ;  that  it 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  25 

would  never  wake  up  for  great  deeds  ;  that  we  should  listen  to 
German  commands  for  ever ;  that  all  our  activity  would  be  lost 
in  small  deeds,  small  cares,  small  pleasures  !  When  there  came 
a  conqueror,  a  hero ;  he  broke  the  Prussian  chains,  and  re- 
suscitated in  us  a  new  life  !  Shall  the  Emperor's  eagles  go  as 
they  came  ?  No,  the  Emperor  Napoleon  shall  be  followed  by 
everybody." 

"  Ah,  chere  Mane,  what  an  ally  the  Emperor  has  in  you  ! "  re- 
sounded suddenly  the  Princess  Jablonowska's  voice,  who,  accom- 
panied by  the  Chamberlain,  came  up  to  the  young  people. 

Pani  Walewska  shivered,  and,  having  noticed  her  husband 
trembling  from  fatigue,  became  confused. 

The  Princess  and  Ossoliński  also  seemed  to  be  embarrassed. 
Gorayski  alone  kept  his  wits,  and  said — 

"  Pani  Walewska  is  right ;  we  must  follow  the  Emperor." 

Princess  Jabłonowska  put  her  lorgnette  on  her  nose,  and, 
having  looked  at  Gorayski,  said  with  a  shade  of  intentional 
astonishment — 

"  Ah  !  It  is  Chevalier  de  Gorayski !  I  am  very  pleased.  .  .  . 
What  a  political  conversation  !  Anastazy,  permit  me  to  introduce 
to  you  .  .  .  Chevalier  de  Gorayski." 

Gorayski  bowed  respectfully  to  Pan  Walewski. 

Then  the  Princess  introduced  the  Chamberlain  to  the  young 
Princess  Radziwil,  and  subsequently  Ossoliński  to  the  Chamber- 
lain. 

Pan  Walewski  mumbled  some  compliment,  and,  not  being 
able  to  overcome  the  fatigue  which  was  taking  hold  of  him,  said 
to  his  wife — 

"  We  must  be  going ;  it  is  time  !  " 

Jeannette  could  not  conceal  her  astonishment,  only  now 
understanding  that  old  Walewski  was  her  friend's  husband. 

Pani  Walewska  rose  silently.  Princess  Jabłonowska  tried  to 
excuse  her  brother. 

"  Ma  chere  Marie,  you  know  how  much  I  would  like  you  to 
stay  longer,  but  I  do  not  dare  to  ask  you  to  stop  after  such  a 
long  and  fatiguing  journey.  Then  to-morrow  again !  .  .  .  Ah^ 
if  you  could  postpone  ..." 

"  It  is  impossible  !  "  said  Walewski,  coughing. 

*'  I  wished  so  much  to  have  you  for  a  longer  time.  .  .  ." 


26  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

"Then  you  are  going  to-morrow,  Mary?"  asked  Jeanette 
Radziwil. 

''We  must." 

"  And  what  will  become  of  your  project  of  driving  ?  Only 
one  day  for  me.  We  had  agreed  to  go  to-morrow  for  a  drive. 
.  .  .  Madayne  la  Princesse  will  be  kind  enough  to  intercede  for 
me,  auprcs  de  Monsieur  de  Walewski." 

Princess  Jabłonowska,  wishing  to  please  the  young  Princess 
Radziwil,  took  her  side,  and  seeing  in  that  circumstance  a  good 
opportunity  to  conclude  the  projected  marriage,  she  whispered 
a  few  words  into  the  Chamberlain's  ear. 

Walewski  resisted,  for  he  thought  that  he  would  be  obliged 
to  go  for  a  drive  also  ;  but  when  Jeannette  Radziwil  assured 
him  that  her  mother  promised  to  go  with  them,  he  said 
pompously  that  it  was  his  duty  to  fulfil  every  wish  of  the 
young  Princess,  and  promised  to  postpone  his  leaving  Warsaw. 

Jeannette  Radziwil  thanked  him,  and  Walewski  assured  her 
that  he  would  be  most  happy  to  be  able  to  please  her  oftener. 

Princess  Jabłonowska  hinted  advisedly  that  it  was  possible 
that  he  might  have  such  an  opportunity.  In  a  word,  everybody 
was  satisfied,  not  excepting  Ossoliński  and  Giorayski.  Pani 
Walewska  alone  was  alarmed,  seeing  yellow  spots  coming  out  on 
her  husband's  cheeks  from  under  the  paint  and  powder. 

Her  presentiment  proved  to  be  right,  for  no  sooner  was  he 
in  the  carriage,  and  not  obliged  to  wear  the  mask  of  constraint, 
than  he  let  fly  his  bad  humour. 

He  complained  that  he  was  awfully  tired  ;  he  abused  the 
Princess  Palatine  for  having  forced  him  to  drink  a  glass  of 
grog,  which  had  given  him  a  bad  headache  ;  he  reproached 
his  wife,  saying  that  she  had  forgotten  him,  and  that  it  was 
because  of  her  that  he  could  not  stay  any  longer. 

This  was  not  the  end  of  the  Chamberlain's  complaints  ;  at 
that  ball  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  in  that  grand  mondc 
he  had  become  a  zero  ;  a  useless  piece  of  furniture  to  which 
nobody  paid  any  attention,  Avhom  everybody  avoided. 

His  ambition  had  permitted  him  to  hope  that  as  soon  as  he 
appeared  he  would  be  at  once  asked  to  take  part  in  confidential 
debates,  that  his  advice  would  be  asked — but  it  all  turned  out 
quite  differently. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  rt 

Some  elderly  ladies,  remembering  Walewski's  brilliant  past, 
had  listened  politely  to  his  commonplace  conversation,  but  the 
men  received  him  coolly,  indifferently.  In  vain  the  Chamberlain 
approached  the  former  Speaker  of  the  Diet,  Małachowski,  and 
reminded  him  of  past  times  spent  together.  The  Speaker 
hardly  troubled  himself  to  answer  him  ;  nor  was  he  treated 
any  better  by  such  noblemen  as  Sobolewski,  Wojczynski, 
Gutakowski,  Kochanowski,  and  Ostrowski ;  Prince  Joseph 
Poniatowski  answered  the  Chamberlain's  respectful  bow  by  a 
slight  inclination  of  his  head  onl}^ ;  as  for  Prince  Borghese, 
he  smiled  ironically,  and  having  exchanged  a  few  words  with 
his  aide-de-camp,  said — 

"Ah!  ...  it  is  you  who  have  such  a  young  and  beautiful 
wife." 

Walewski  became  confused. 

Prince  Borghese  laughed,  seeing  Walewski's  confusion,  and 
added  hastily :  "  My  sincere  congratulations !  I  should  like 
to  be  introduced  to  her." 

The  Chamberlain  mumbled  a  few  words  of  thanks,  and  then 
having  found  his  sister,  told  her  that  he  was  going  home,  and 
did  not  try  to  conceal  his  dissatisfaction. 

Princess  Jabłonowska  guessed  the  cause  of  her  brother's 
bitterness,  and  tried  to  console  him  by  telling  him  that  there 
were  many  people  who  made  an  effort  to  disband  the  clique 
whose  aim  was  to  monopolise  the  French  Court  and  to  influence 
the  Emperor. 

That  news  brought  some  consolation  to  Walewski,  but  it  was 
not  for  a  long  time — as  soon  as  he  found  himself  in  the  carriage 
shivering  from  cold  and  sleepy  from  fatigue — that  he  under- 
stood the  impotency  of  an  old  man.  The  old  courtier's  ideas 
had  received  a  severe  blow,  and  his  wounded  ambition  was  not 
cured  either  by  the  thought  that  the  negotiations  for  his 
grandson's  marriage  with  Princess  Radziv/il  were  successful, 
nor  by  his  sister's  assurance  that  Walewski  had  some  chances 
of  becoming  a  member  of  the  future  Government. 

The  Chamberlain  wished  to  live  and  shine  by  himself  and 
not  by  his  grandson.  His  anger  not  being  satisfied  with  a 
biting  criticism  of  the  new  people,  of  revolutionary  princes 
and  dukes,  and  of  lords  smelling  of  the  guard-house,  turned 


28  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

towards  his  wife^  who  listened  silently  to  his  bitter  reproaches, 
not  trying  even  to  defend  herself. 

That  submission  made  him  still  more  angry ;  therefore,  when 
once  back  in  his  mansion,  having  thrown  away  his  evening 
dress  and  wrapped  himself  in  a  soft  warm  dressing-gown,  he 
made  up  his  mind  to  have  some  explanation  with  his  wife,  and 
for  this  purpose  he  ordered  a  servant  to  ask  "her  ladyship"  to 
come  to  him. 

Pani  Walewska  came  at  once,  still  in  evening  dress. 

Walewski  looked  her  up  and  down  with  his  lifeless  eyes, 
coughed,  and  said  emphatically — 

"  I  must  tell  you  that  we  are  going  to-morrow  !  Do  you 
understand  ?  I  did  not  come  to  feast,  to  go  driving  !  We  shall 
go.  Did  you  hear  me .''  Then  there  is  nobody  to  associate 
with  .  .  ,  not  for  me  are  those  receptions  .  .  .  that  mixed 
society.  .  .  .  We  are  going  to  Walewice." 

"  It  was  so  arranged,"  answered  Pani  Walewska  quietly. 

"What  was  arranged.''"  cried  the  Chamberlain.  "It  is 
arranged  only  now !  You  had  a  fancy  for  driving  ;  you  shall 
do  so  in  Walewice.  You  shall  write  to  the  Princess  Radziwil 
and  tell  her  that  you  are  not  well." 

"  I  have  already  written  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  movement  of  impatience.  The 
desire  for  quarrelling  took  the  upper  hand  of  him. 

"  You  have  written .''  Well  ...  it  was  proper  to  ask  my 
advice  before  doing  so." 

"  You  see  by  yourself  that  I  have  guessed  your  wishes  ! 
Jeannette  almost  forced  me  to  promise  to  go  driving  with 
her.     I  did  not  wish  it." 

"  Naturally !  How  could  you  when  there  is  the  question  of 
my  family  alliance  with  the  Radziwils }  Naturally  you  would 
not  care  for  some  sacrifice  for  us.  I  knew  it  well.  You  have 
an  opportunity  to  win  Jeannette  for  us,  but  naturally  you  would 
not  do  so.  I  knew  it !  Instead  of  talking  with  the  young 
Princess,  you  preferred  to  listen  to  Gorayski's  idle  talk.  We 
know  who  he  is  .   ,  .  your  former  lover ! " 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale. 

•'  Have  you  called  me  in  order  to  accuse  me  of  unjust  ..." 

'•'  Unjust  I  "  interrupted  Walewski,  trembling.     "  You  suppose 


NAPOLEONS  LOVE   STORY  29 

so  well  .  .  .  then  we  shall  stay  in  Warsaw  .  .  .  to-morrow  you 
will  go  with  Jeannette  !     Do  you  hear  !  " 

"As  you  wish." 

"You  do  not  like  it.  You  will  go.  You  must  do  this  for 
Ksawery^  for  they  already  say  that  you  do  what  pleases  you 
with  me.  We  shall  leave  the  day  after  to-morrow.  Give  me 
that  salts  bottle  !  Cover  mC;,  it  is  cold  here.  You  should  have 
remembered  that  my  health  cannot  stand  such  a  journey.  But 
you  do  not  care  about  it  at  all.  I  know  !  You  would  like  .  .  . 
Well^  you  shall  see  me  dead.  Only  you  must  remember  that 
I  have  some  duties,  that  you  shall  not  take  everything,  that 
Ksawery  is  my  pi'incipal  successor.  You  come  last.  Your 
mother's  calculations  deceived  her  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  became  red — her  sad  eyes  shone. 

"  You  can  give  your  gold  to  the  beggars  !  I  do  not  care  for 
anything  from  you,  except  that  you  should  not  insult  me." 

Walewski  was  frightened  by  such  energy,  or  perchance  he 
was  moved  by  the  sincerity  of  his  wife's  speech,  for  he  changed 
his  tactics  at  once,  and  stretched  out  his  hands  and  whispered 
hastily — 

"  Mary  !  Do  not  be  angry.  Sometimes  one  sjieaks  without 
meaning.  Well,  I  shall  not  take  my  riches  to  the  grave,  and 
instead  of  leaving  them  to  those  who  neglect  me,  I  prefer  to 
give  them  to  you.  People's  talk  irritates  me.  I  have  nothing 
against  you,  and  I  shall  leave  everything  to  you." 

Her  husband's  sudden  munificence  did  not  brighten  Pani 
Walewska's  beautiful  face ;  on  the  contrary,  more  clouds 
appeared  upon  it. 

Walewski  coughed,  inhaled  salts,  and  said  :  "  Well,  you  do 
not  answer." 

"  I  am  tired." 

"Then  I  will  not  keep  you.  To-morrow  you  must  go  with 
Jeannette  !     Then  we  shall  see  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  rose,  bent  her  head  over  the  Chamberlain's, 
who  kissed  her  noisily,  and  went  to  her  apartments. 


CHAPTER   III 

IN  the  front  of  the  inn  in  Jabłonna  numerous  peasant  carts, 
noblemen's  coaches,  and  military  transports  gathered  from 
early  morning.  Notwithstanding  that  it  was  a  holy  day,  there 
was  much  bustle  and  unusual  excitement  such  as  only  happened 
during  a  hunt  on  Prince  Poniatowski's  estate. 

The  chateau,  which  was  covered  with  snow,  was,  however, 
quiet  and  silent,  whilst  the  overcrowded  inn  shook  with  hurry- 
ing and  noisy  people. 

On  the  road  from  Serock  there  were  whole  rows  of  trans- 
ports, carts,  waggons,  and  four-in-hand  coaches. 

All  those  innumerable  vehicles  stopped  before  the  inn. 
Every  moment  new  guests  entered  the  room ;  some,  jingling 
their  swords,  asked  for  fresh  horses,  swore  and  abused  the  host ; 
others  talked  with  military  commissaires,  and  then  started  on 
their  way  to  Warsaw. 

The  tintinabulation  of  slcvlge  bells,  the  calls  from  the  drivers, 
squeaking  of  frozen  axle-trees,  and  loud  conversation,  produced 
a  deafening  noise,  full  of  life  and  feverish  animation.  Peasants 
in  homespun  rubbed  shoulders  with  military  uniforms  and 
noblemen's  fur  coats. 

Those  persons  standing  in  the  front  of  the  inn  questioned 
the  new-comers,  and  shared  the  answers  with  others,  sometimes 
translating  from  French  into  Polish. 

About  noon  the  road  leading  to  Serock  began  to  clear ;  there 
were  fewer  carts  and  transport  waggons,  but  the  number  of 
coaches  increased.  These  coaches  were  escorted  by  cavalry, 
and  officers  were  sitting  on  the  boxes  beside  the  coachmen. 
Such  coaches  sometimes  passed  the  inn,  but  others  stopped  and 
changed  horses.  The  crowd  sometimes  caught  sight  through 
the  frost-covered  window  of  a  martial  face,  at  another  time 

30 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  31 

a  hat  adorned  with  plumes  would  appear,  then  the  crowd 
whispered  "a.  Marshal!"  and  the  soldiers  and  officers  would 
stretch  themselves,  noblemen  would  lift  their  chapkas,  and  the 
peasants  would  bow  to  the  ground.  At  length  there  were  no 
more  coaches. 

The  recently  crowded  road  was  now  empty  and  shining  in 
the  sun  with  snow  crystals.  Apathy  took  hold  of  the  crowd. 
Here  and  there  some  one,  not  being  able  to  stand  longer  in  the 
cold,  went  to  the  inn ;  others  breathed  on  their  hands ;  others 
stamped  on  the  ground  with  their  feet  to  warm  them. 

On  a  sudden  there  resounded  on  the  road  the  bells  of  a  small 
sledge  conducted  by  a  young  man  in  half-military  dress.  The 
sledge  glided  between  vehicles,  made  a  circle  in  the  snow,  and 
stopped  in  fi'ont  of  the  inn.  The  young  man  turned  to  the 
crowd  and  asked  :  "Where  is  the  post-house  ostler.^    Quick  !  " 

A  thin  man  dressed  in  a  sheepskin  jacket  rushed  to  the 
sledge. 

"  At  your  service,  my  lord  !  " 

"  The  Emperor  is  coming  !  have  the  horses  ready !  Do  you 
see  that  coach  near  the  forest .''     Go  !  " 

The  thin  man  rushed  to  the  stables.  The  young  man  in  half- 
military  garb  whipped  up  the  horses  and  rushed  towards  Warsaw. 

In  the  crowd  voices  were  heard  calling  :  ''  He  is  coming  !  he 
is  coming  !     The  Emperor  !     L! Emperetir  arrive  !     Attention  !  " 

Several  officers  and  commissaires  rushed  from  the  inn  and 
began  to  clear  the  way,  pushing  the  vehicles  and  people  aside ; 
it  was  a  difficult  task,  for  the  officers  were  followed  by  men  and 
women  who  rushed  from  the  inn,  crowding  the  road,  and  in- 
creasing the  confusion. 

"He  is  coming  !  He  is  coming ! "  resounded  voices  louder 
and  louder  from  all  sides. 

The  eyes  of  the  crowd  turned  towards  a  six-horse  coach 
coming  on  the  road  from  Serock.  They  just  glanced  at  the 
iong-moustachioed  coachman,  then  at  the  smart  dress  of  the 
servants  sitting  beside  him,  then  tried  to  penetrate  the  depths 
of  the  dark  green  coach. 

The  coach  rushed  like  the  wind,  the  strong  horses,  with  out- 
stretched necks  and  wide-open  nostrils,  seemed  hardly  to  touch 
the  ground  with  their  hoofs. 


32  NAPOLEO.VS   LOVE   STORY 

The  crowd  wavered,  and  bore  without  murmuring  the  blows 
dealt  by  the  order-making  soldiers^  not  frightened  by  the  swear- 
ing officers,  but  stood  solid  in  one  compact  powerful  body, 
cemented  by  one  desire,  concentrated  in  one  look. 

The  coach  was  coming ;  it  was  already  so  near  that  heads 
began  to  uncover,  when  on  a  sudden,  from  the  direction  of 
Warsaw,  bells  resounded  noisily,  and  a  sledge,  to  which  were 
harnessed  four  dapple-grey  horses,  rushed  through  the  snow 
dust  directly  towards  the  Emperor's  can-iage. 

The  officers  tried  by  gestures  to  stop  the  rushing  horses,  but 
the  young  driver,  in  a  costly  fur,  sitting  beside  a  liveried  foot- 
man, cracked  his  w'hip  disregardfully,  and  w^ent  like  a  storm 
directly  to  the  inn ;  and  when  at  last,  hearing  the  enthusiastic 
shouting  of  "  Long  live  the  Emperor ! "  he  wished  to  stop  the 
horses,  it  was  too  late. 

The  Emperor's  coach  stopped,  almost  touching  the  sledge, 
the  sledge  separating  it  from  the  crowd. 

"Long  live  the  Emperor  !  "  shouted  the  crowd. 

"  Vive  l' Emperenr  !  "  cried  the  soldiers,  and  Avhile  some  one 
rushed  to  the  Emperor's  carriage  and  hastily  took  out  the 
horses,  others  abused  the  young  driver,  and  tried  to  push  the 
sledge  aside ;  but  the  dapple-grey  horses,  frightened  by  the 
shouting  and  throwing  up  of  chapkas,  jumped,  then  threw  their 
heads  up  and  down,  and  would  not  permit  anyone  to  come  near 
them. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  door  of  the  Emperor's  carriage  was 
opened,  a  good-looking  man  in  a  rich  military  uniform  jumped 
out,  noticed  the  offence  at  a  glance,  and  said  in  French  to  an 
officer  standing  outstretched — 

"  You  are  on  duty  here  ? " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Come  to  report  to  me  ;  a  month  of  prison  !  Take  away  the 
sledge ! " 

The  officer  then  began  to  abuse  the  driver,  but  at  the  same 
time  there  came  from  the  sledge  the  melodious  voice  of  a 
woman.  "  Will  you  not  be  kind  enough  to  excuse  us,  the  most 
ardent  desire  to  see  His  Majesty  the  Emperor  brought  us  here!" 

The  Marshal  politely  saluted  the  talking  lady,  and  said  with 
mild  peremptoriness :  "  You  arc  not  guilty.     The  carelessness 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  33 

of  the  officer  on  duty  might  have  exposed  you  to  dangei*.  The 
driver  must  turn  to  one  side." 

"He  will  do  it  at  once,  only  you  must  be  kind  enough  to 
permit  me  to  glance  at  His  Majesty/'  said  another  lady  with 
the  force  of  conviction. 

"  Follow  me^  please." 

The  little  lady  jumped  out  without  the  slightest  hesitation. 
The  Marshal  offered  her  his  arm^  not  paying  any  attention  to 
the  other  young  lady  who  followed  them. 

"Your  name?"  asked  the  Marshal  rapidly. 

"  Madame  Walewska/'  answered  the  questioned  lady  with 
emotion,  feeling  the  sharp  penetrating  look  that  was  coming 
towards  her  from  the  carriage. 

The  Marshal  stopped  before  the  open  door. 

"  Sire !  this  lady  was  daring  enough  to  stop  us  on  our  way 
in  order  to  see  your  Majesty/' 

Napoleon  leaned  forward. 

"  I  am  very  grateful.  You  must  be  as  good  as  you  are  beauti- 
ful !  You  have  caused  me  true  ])leasure,  a  double  one,  for,  in 
this  forlorn  spot,  I  did  not  expect  such  a  charming  apparition." 

Pani  Walewska,  trembling  from  emotion,  lifted  her  dark, 
sapphire-like  eyes,  full  of  tears,  and,  having  knelt  on  the  step 
of  the  carriage,  said  with  enthusiasm :  "  Sire !  you  are  great ! 
You  are  our  saviour  !  " 

Napoleon  seemed  to  be  moved  by  this  unexpected  outburst, 
and,  having  noticed  tears  in  Pani  Walewska's  eyes,  asked  good- 
naturedly  :  "  You  are  crying  }  " 

"  From  happiness,  because  I  see  the  Emperor." 

"  I  thank  you !  In  your  words  there  sounds  such  sincerity 
that  I  shall  remember  them !     I  hope  to  see  you  in  Warsaw." 

The  Marshal  conducted  Pani  Walewska  to  the  sledge,  and, 
having  once  more  asked  her  name,  returned  to  the  carriage. 

The  crowd,  not  understanding  the  meaning  of  all  that  had 
happened,  and  seeing  the  Emperor's  carriage,  acclaimed  him 
constantly. 

In  the  meantime,  the  horses  were  changed ;  the  Marshal  said 
something  to  the  otiicer  on  duty  and  entered  the  coach,  at  the 
window  of  which  appeared  Napoleon's  head. 

The  acclamations  increased;  the  coach  rushed  towards  Warsaw 

D 


34  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

followed  by  shouting  voices.  In  the  sledge,  after  a  momentary 
astonishment,  there  began  a  mirthful  chat. 

"  Mary,"  said  Jeannette  Radziwil,  "  has  he  spoken  to  you .'' 
Yes,  he  did !     I  heard,  but  could  not  catch  the  words." 

'^'^  Jeannette,"  Pani  Walewska  said,  defending  herself,  "permit 
me  to  gather  my  thoughts ;  I  do  not  know  myself — I  am  afraid 
I  said  something  that  I  should  not  have  said." 

"The  idea!  He  was  moved!  And  how  he  looked  at  you! 
But  that  Marshal  was  very  polite.  Cousin,  do  you  know  his 
name  ł " 

"  In  a  moment.  We  must  first  get  on  the  road — get  away  !  " 
shouted  Ossoliński,  sitting  on  the  coachman's  box. 

"John,  take  the  reins.  Let  us  get  out  from  here  as  soon  as 
we  can.  They  might  stop  us.  Look,  that  officer  is  rushing 
towards  us." 

"John,  turn  into  the  field!"  cried  Jeannette  Radziwil,  having 
noticed  that  actually  the  officer,  who  was  on  duty  and  who  was 
scolded  by  the  Marshal,  was  making  his  way  through  the  crowd 
towards  the  sledge. 

"  Hasten  !  hasten  !  "  cried  Pani  Walewska. 

John  took  the  reins  from  Ossoliński,  Avhipped  up  the  horses, 
and  turned  across  the  field.  The  sledge  rushed  madly  towards 
Warsaw. 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  freely. 

"Thank  God,  we  are  safe  !  " 

"  What  would  they  do .''  You  have  spoken  with  the  Emperor 
himself! " 

'^They  would  not  dare  !  "  affirmed  Ossoliński. 

"  Tell  us  now  how  was  it  ?  My  dear,  do ;  I  heard  him  say, 
Voiis  pleurez  !  I  had  also  tears  in  my  eyes  ;  I  do  not  know  why. 
Well,  tell  us." 

Pani  Walewska,  with  a  voice  full  of  emotion,  related  the 
details  of  the  conversation.  Jeannette  was  beside  herself  Avith 
satisfaction. 

"  Do  you  know,  Mary,  I  did  not  expect  such  an  end.  Well, 
we  have  succeeded  with  our  expedition.  The  Princess  Palatine 
is  certain  that  we  are  somewhere  near  Ujazdów.  Wrap  yourself 
up,  for  it  is  cold — and  we  were  talking  with  Napoleon  !  How 
has  it  happened .''     I  spoke  first  to  the  Marshal ;  he  answered 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  35 

very  politely.  But  imagine  to  yourself  how  it  confused  me. 
Then  he  offered  you  his  arm.  While  you  were  talking  I  wanted 
to  thrust  my  head  in  and  shout :  '  Your  Majesty^  I  also  deserved 
at  least  one  word.'  What  would  he  have  said  to  that  .^  You 
have  not  any  idea  how  that  Marshal  was  looking  at  me.  Ha ! 
ha  !  ha  !     What  an  adventure  !  " 

"  I  did  not  fancy  that  Marshal/'  said  Ossoliński. 

"  For  you  did  not  look  at  him  closely ;  I  saw  both  of  them 
well.  I  tell  you,  Mary,  the  Empei-or's  nose  was  red,  almost 
blue.  The  cold  dares  to  touch  even  an  Emperor's  nose.  Ha ! 
ha !  ha !  He  wore  a  fur  coat  over  his  uniform,  and  such  big 
gloves  !  What  a  pity  he  has  no  moustache ;  it  is  the  fashion 
now  to  have  them." 

Ossoliński  raised  his  hand  and  began  to  pull  his  down. 

Jeannette  continued  to  joke  and  laugh. 

"If  my  mother  or  Madame  Louise  could  have  seen  us  then! 
Mary,  pull  that  fur.  That  Marshal  must  be  one  of  importance; 
he  drives  with  the  Emperor." 

"I  do  not  think  so,"  rejoined  OssoHnski.  "The  question  is, 
whether  he  is  a  Marshal." 

"  Do  not  contradict  me ;  I  heard  the  officer  distinctly  giving 
him  that  rank.'' 

"  But  what  is  his  name  ?  I  have  seen  Davoust,  he  is  much 
older.     It  must  be  Lannes,  then." 

"  Suffice  it  he  is  a  Marshal.  You  must  listen  and  remember 
with  whom  you  have  to  do.  Mary  spoke  with  Napoleon,  I  with 
Lannes,  and  you  with  only  a  captain !  Emperor,  Marshal,  and 
captain  !  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  We  have  seen  the  Emperor  before  all 
the  other  ladies.  I  heard  yesterday  when  Pani  Sobolewska 
proposed  to  the  Countess  Potocka  to  go  on  the  bridge  and  wait 
his  coming  there.  Then  it  was  doubtful  if  they  would  be  able 
to  see  him  because  of  the  crowd.  Gorayski  said  that  they 
expected  the  Emperor  about  dusk.  But  I  shall  not  mind  a 
scolding  !  John,  hurry  up  !  What  a  meeting  !  As  if  we  had 
agreed  with  the  Emperor  !  And  you,  Mary  !  Why  do  you  not 
say  something  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  wrapped  her  head  in  the  fur  still  closer,  and 
said,  evasively,  "Cold." 

"Cousin,"  the  Princess  said  to  young  Ossolinski  scoldingly. 


36  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  you  have  no  respect  for  the  ladies.  Do  you  not  see  that  the 
fur  has  sHpped  fi*om  her  knees." 

OssoHnski  turned  from  the  box  and  began  to  pull  up  the 
bear's  skin,  but  suddenly,  having  looked  behind  the  sledge, 
trembled  so  much  that  he  nearly  fell  into  the  snow. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  you  ?  " 

"We  are  pursued ! "  he  cried,  regaining  his  equihbrium. 

Jeannette  and  Pani  Walewska  turned  back,  and  perceived  in 
the  distance  the  same  captain  galloping  at  the  head  of  a 
detachment  of  dragoons. 

"  John,  for  God's  sake  whip  up  the  horses ! "  cried  Pani 
Walewska,  awfully  frightened. 

"If  we  can  only  reach  Warsaw,"  said  Jeannette. 

The  coachman  cracked  the  whip.  The  dapple-grey  horses 
went  at  full  gallop. 

The  captain  with  the  dragoons  began  to  drop  behind.  Pani 
Walewska  breathed  freely.     Ossoliński  smiled  triumphantly. 

"They  cannot  keep  up  with  us,  and  even  if  they  should, 
what  could  they  do  to  us  .''  " 

"  I  do  not  know  why,  but  I  am  afraid  of  them." 

"Mary,  my  cousin  is  right.  That  captain  only  wished  to 
frighten  us.  Look!  ah,  he  is  gaining  fast  on  us  again!  It  is 
strange  ;  we  have  not  done  anything  wrong.  If  anyone  is  guilty 
of  an}i;hing,  it  must  be  Chevalier  Ossoliński." 

"!>     Why  must  it  be  I  ? " 

"  Well,  you  wanted  to  drive  us,  and  you  rushed  impetuously 
at  the  Emperor's  carriage." 

"  But  you  told  me  to  hasten.     John,  whip  up  the  horses  ! " 

"They  fly  like  birds,  my  lord." 

"  Shall  we  escape  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  so — the  wheelers  slacken  already." 

The  coachman  was  right,  the  tired  horses  began  to  throw  up 
their  hoofs  heavily,  and  grew  indifferent  to  the  cracking  of  the 
whip ;  they  were  steaming  like  engines. 

In  the  meantime,  the  captain  and  his  dragoons  were  approach- 
ing to  the  great  fright  of  all. 

John  whipped  up  the  horses  once  more,  and  they  were  able 
to  trot  several  furlongs  further,  and  then  could  only  go  very 
slowly,  panting  and  coughing. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  37 

The  captain  reached  the  sledge,  saluted  the  driving  party 
with  an  exquisite  politeness,  and,  having  done  this,  retreated 
with  his  dragoons  behind  the  sledge,  and  went  on  the  same 
pace  as  the  dapple-grey  four-in-hand. 

Seeing  the  captain's  peaceful  disposition,  Jeannette  and  Pani 
Walewska  recovered  their  courage. 

"  Do  you  see,  Mary,  he  is  a  very  courteous  fellow !  He 
saluted  us  !  and  we  were  frightened  !  " 

"  H'm  !  we  do  not  knoAv  yet,"  said  Ossoliński  gloomily. 

"  What !  why  should  we  not  know  .''  " 

"He  follows  us." 

"  Then  what  ?     The  road  belongs  to  everybody." 

"And  it  seems  to  me  that  he  only  escorts  us." 

"  Cousin  !     What  are  you  talking  about !     Where  to  }  " 

"  Very  simple,  nowhere  else  but  to  the  guard-house." 

"  It  cannot  be  !     It  cannot  be." 

"  We  can  assure  ourselves  immediately  !  Let  John  go  faster, 
and  then  slacken." 

The  coachman  did  as  he  was  told. 

They  all  watched  the  captain,  who,  as  soon  as  the  dapple- 
grey  horses  went  faster,  galloped  after  them.  The  sledge 
slackened,  the  captain  did  not  pass  it,  but  went  at  the  trot. 

The  coachman  repeated  the  same  manoeuvre  a  couple  of 
times,  and  every  time  the  captain  neither  permitted  himself 
to  be  distanced  nor  did  he  remain  behind. 

Pani  Walewska  and  Jeannette  Radziwil  v.'ere  distressed  at 
this  discovery,  Ossoliński  tried  to  put  a  good  face  on  a  bad 
affair. 

In  the  meanwhile,  in  the  distance,  over  the  snow-covered 
plain,  Warsaw  appeared. 

The  driving  party  grew  more  courageous,  the  more  so  as  the 
captain  permitted  himself  to  be  outdistanced  by  the  sledge, 
and  followed  it  only  from  afar. 

Jeannette  began  to  laugh  at  her  own  fears,  but  suddenly 
another  fright  came. 

This  time  Ossoliński  gave  the  alarm. 

"  It  is  very  late,"  said  he ;  "  my  mother  will  be  very  angry 
with  me  for  not  having  paid  the  New  Year  visits." 

"  What  time  is  it  now  ?  " 


38  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"Three  o'clock." 

"  Ah  !  I  am  sure  the  Princess  Palatine  has  sent  at  least 
three  outriders  after  me ;  they  are  looking  for  us  in  Ujazdów, 
while  we  are  coming  from  the  audience  with  the  Emperor  !  " 

"  Jeannette,  remember  and  do  not  betray  me." 

"  I  betray  you,  my  dear  !  " 

"  My  husband  does  not  know  anything  ;  he  would  take  it 
amiss." 

"YcSj  such  a  husband!"  burst  out  Jeannette.  But  having 
noticed  Pani  Walewska's  confusion,  she  added  immediately : 
"  None  of  them  would  like  it.  I  know  it.  Is  it  not  true, 
cousin  ?  " 

"  Why  ?    To  talk  with  the  Emperor .''     It  is  a  great  honour  !  " 

"It  is  true/'  interrupted  Pani  Walewska;  "at  any  rate,  for 
my  sake,  not  a  word  to  anybody.     We  will  say " 

"That  a  wheel  broke,"  rejoined  Jeannette. 

"  Yes,"  continued  Ossoliński.  "  John,  do  you  hear  ?  Should 
you  be  questioned,  say  that  one  of  the  wheels  broke." 

"  I  understand,  my  lord ;  only,  we  are  in  a  sledge." 

"Ah  !  it  is  true." 

"  Then  say  that  we  had  some  accident,  that  is  all." 

"Only,  Jeannette,  dear,"  rejoined  Pani  Walewska,  "do  not 
say  a  word  to  anybody  about  our  excursion  and  meeting." 

"  Not  to  anybody  ?  "  asked  the  Princess,  with  sadness  in  her 
voice. 

"  They  would  gossip  about  it ;  you  know  how  it  is ;  you 
remember  what  you  told  me  yesterday,  or  rather  it  was  your 
Chevalier." 

"  I  did  not  intend  to  hurt  your  feelings." 

"  Mary,  I  swear  to  you  that  I  did  not  know  that  story  about 
grandmother  and  grandson  .  .  .  let  me  kiss  you  !  I  shall  not 
tell  a  word  to  anybody  except  Madame  Louise.  I  would  say 
a  few  words,  but  in  such  a  way  that  she  will  not  be  able  to 
guess." 

"Jeannette,  if  you  love  me." 

"  But  you  do  not  know  Madame  Louise ;  she  knows  how  to 
keep  a  secret.  My  mother  tells  her  everything.  Madame 
Louise  repeats  only  to  me  sometimes,  to  nobody  else." 

"Jeannette,  do  this  for  me.     What  would  they  say.-*     They 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  39 

would  blame  me  alone.  Princess  Jabłonowska  would  never 
forgive  me ! " 

"  But  you  have  spoken  with  the  Emperor  !  " 

"  It  does  not  matter.  I  should  be  ashamed  of  myself.  I  do 
not  know  myself.     Well,  promise." 

"  If  you  wish  it  so  much/'  said  Jeannette  sadly. 

"And  you  also,  Monsieur  le  Chevalier." 

"  I !     Naturally  !     Parole  d'honneur  !  " 

"To  nobody  a  word." 

"  Wellj  I  gave  my  word/'  answered  Ossoliński  proudly,  pulling 
the  down  on  his  upjDer  lip. 

The  sledge  arrived  at  the  bridge  ;  they  showed  their  pass  and 
were  allowed  to  enter  the  town. 

Jeannette  looked  backwards  to  assure  herself  that  the  captain 
did  not  follow  them,  and  perceiving  that  he  remained  with  his 
dragoons  far  in  the  distance,  became  satisfied  altogether. 

The  friends  exchanged  last  words.  Jeannette  promised  to 
come  to  Walewice,  and  Pani  Walewska  said  that  she  would  visit 
Jeannette  in  Warsaw  at  her  first  opportunity. 

The  sledge  turned  from  Bednarska  to  Królewska  Street,  and 
stopped  before  the  Princess  Palatine's  mansion. 

Jeannette  kissed  Pani  Walewska  once  more,  swore  to  keep 
the  secret,  and  together  with  Ossoliński  disappeared  under  the 
arch  of  the  porte  cocker e. 

John  turned  to  Dluga  Street. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  was  returning  home  sad.  Even  the 
picture  of  the  meeting  with  the  Emperor  disappeared  together 
with  his  kind  words,  and  there  remained  only  the  feeling  that 
she  must  again  return  to  the  worry  of  her  ordinary  life ;  that 
the  moment  of  freedom  was  already  gone,  perchance  for  ever ; 
that  she  would  be  obliged  to  quench  her  vivacity  and  to  be  a 
dignified  mistress  of  the  house  to  please  her  capricious  and 
sour  husband. 

Something  like  bitterness  took  hold  of  her,  bitterness  towards 
those  who  did  not  allow  her  to  breathe  freely  according  to  the 
wants  of  youth,  who  robbed  her  early  of  her  dreams,  who  had 
forced  her  to  marry  a  man  so  different  to  her  in  age,  taste, 
liking,  ideas,  and  ideals. 

Pani  Walewska  remembered  the  past  with  horror. 


40  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

When  the  Chamberlain  began  to  covirt  her  and  bring  her 
magnificent  presents^  she  did  not  reahse  the  meaning  of  all 
that  was  going  on,  nor  what  a  future  awaited  her.  Only  the 
day  of  the  wedding  she  woke  up  and  understood  the  gloomy 
reality.  She  did  not  want  to  be  married  ;  she  threw  herself 
at  her  mother's  feet ;  it  was  too  late. 

Notwithstanding  her  beseeching  and  tears,  they  forced  her 
to  pronounce  the  oath.  Then  sad  days  followed,  awfully 
monotonous,  full  of  the  Chamberlain's  recriminations,  insulting 
suspicions  and  accusations.  Had  she  given  any  reason  for 
them.''  Gorayski  alone  seemed  to  love  her.  He  alone.  But 
as  soon  as  he  learned  about  the  projected  marriage,  he  threw 
at  her  bitter  words  and  left  her.  Then  yesterday,  he  seemed 
to  remember  her,  to  be  angry  with  her.     Why  ? 

She  was  fond  of  him ;  he  was  only  her  dear  brother  Paul's 
friend  !     Why  did  he  leave  her  ? 

If  Paul  had  been  with  her,  had  he  not  entered  the  Polish 
Legions  under  Napoleon,  he  Avould  have  defended  her !  And 
now,  she  must  play  a  comedy  even  for  him ;  she  must  lie  to 
him,  for  why  should  she  make  him  sad  ?  It  was  done,  and  could 
not  be  changed. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  sadly  at  the  street  full  of  animation ; 
she  did  not  notice  that  several  people  driving  in  sledges  and 
carriages  bowed  to  her  ;  she  felt  like  a  convict,  who,  having 
escaped  from  prison  and  having  tasted  freedom,  is  caught  again 
and  led  to  his  cell ;  a  prisoner,  who  is  conducted  through  the 
streets,  does  not  recognise  people,  does  not  notice  carriages, 
does  not  understand  shouts,  and  sees  only  the  large  wave  of 
life  rolling  joyfully,  a  wave  going  away  from  him. 

The  sledge  stopped  in  front  of  the  mansion.  A  servant 
inished  out. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  shook  off  her  gloomy  thoughts, 
pushed  aside  a  tress  of  hair  which,  having  escaped  from  under 
her  fur  cap,  was  kissing  her  lovely  face  flushed  by  the  cold,  and 
said  to  John,  "  Return  the  sledge  to  Count  Ossoliński,  and 
should  there  be  any  inquiries,  then  you  remember." 

"  Yes,  my  lady." 

Pani  Walewska  turned  towards  tlie  porie  cochere.  She  was 
going  to  pass  the  threshold,  \7hen  she  noticed  the  captain,  who 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  41 

had  followed  her,,  and  a  few  steps  further  were  his  dragoons, 
talking  with  the  valet  Baptiste. 

That  sight  disturbed  her ;  she  wanted  to  speak  to  the  captain, 
but  he,  having  noticed  the  effect  his  presence  made  on  her^ 
hurriedly  retreated. 

Pani  Walewska  stopped,  mhaled  the  air,  and  entered  the 
mansion. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  same  day  the  Chamberlain^  after  a  sleepless  night, 
awoke  to  see  the  sun  shining  on  the  frost-covered 
windows.  A  short  but  sound  sleep  refreshed  him,  and  he  took 
a  cup  of  chocolate  with  a  sense  of  pleasure,  glanced  through 
the  Gazette  Correspo7idatit,  listened  to  the  solemn  New  Year 
wishes  from  the  servants,  headed  by  Baptiste,  and  then,  re- 
membering his  wife,  he  made  a  grimace. 

"  Her  ladyship  has  gone  .-*  "  he  asked  of  a  lackey. 

'^  Yes,  my  lord." 

"  And  she  has  not  yet  returned .'' " 

"  The  carriage  came  back  empty,  my  lord." 

"And  Joseph.^" 

"Joseph  remained  with  her  ladyship." 

The  Chamberlain  felt  angry  with  himself  for  having  given  in 
to  that  goose  yesterday. 

The  weather  was  bright,  one  could  return  to  Walewice.  Add 
to  all  this  it  was  New  Year's  day,  and  impossible  to  visit  anybody. 
For  should  he  call  on  two  or  three  people  he  would  be  obliged 
to  see  everybody,  and  he  was  not  at  all  certain  how  he  would  be 
received. 

The  Chamberlain  grew  bitter  as  he  remembered  past  times. 
On  fonner  New  Year's  days  the  King  would  never  let  him  go, 
and  therefore  he  was  only  able  to  call  upon  the  most  prominent 
people,  such  as  the  Castelan  of  Cracow,  and  the  Primate,  and 
others.  How  different  it  was  now  !  Poniatowski  hardly  nodded 
to  him  last  night.  The  day  was  lost  to  him,  obliged  to  stay,  as 
he  was,  in  that  lonely  palace,  where  he  had  not  even  that 
comfortable  ai-mchair  which  had  been  left  in  Walewice,  or  the 
extensive  surroundings  upon  which  he  was  wont  to  gaze ;  he 
had  not  even  his  favourite  dog  to  bear  him  company. 

42 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  43 

About  noon  the  Chamberlain  began  to  dress,  listening 
patiently  to  the  stories  with  which  his  valet  considered  it  his 
duty  to  regale  his  mastei*,  and  which  the  latter  knew  long  ago 
by  heart.     In  the  middle  of  one  his  son  was  announced. 

The  Chamberlain  put  on  a  warm,  comfortable  dressing-gown, 
and  went  foi-ward  to  meet  Pan  Ksawery. 

"  I  thought  you  did  not  know  I  was  remaining  here  for 
another  day.     What  brings  you  to  me  ?  " 

"  The  Princess  told  me  last  night ;  as  soon  as  I  heard  I  con- 
sidered it  my  duty  to  call." 

"  Take  a  chair.     Will  you  lunch  with  me  ?  " 

"  No,  I  thank  you." 

The  hardly  begun  conversation  was  stopped  suddenly.  Pan 
Ksawery  played  with  the  buttons  of  his  coat ;  the  Chamberlain 
turned  his  snuff-box  between  his  fingers  and  looked  askance  at 
his  son,  wondering  inwardly  how  it  could  be  that  his  son 
appeared  so  old.  This  thought  was  so  strong  that  the  Chamber- 
lain could  not  conceal  it. 

"  You  are  not  looking  well." 

"  I  ?  "   answered  Pan  KsaAvery,  surprised.     "  Well — old  age." 

"The  idea ! " 

"  Soon  sixty  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  grew  red. 

"Exactly,  and  for  such  an  age  you  are  not  looking  well. 
Your  son  Kazimierz — what  is  he  doing  .^  and  the  second — 
Joseph .'' " 

"  He  thinks  of  entering  the  army." 

"  Noble  calling." 

"They  say  that  nowadays  a  military  man  can  rise  to  any 
height,  even  to  that  of  an  emperor." 

"Do  not  talk  in  that  way.  Joseph  must  have  something 
certain,  and  if  he  Avishes  to  enter  the  anxiy  you  must  procure 
him  at  least  a  colonel's  rank.     Pepi  should  help  you  in  that." 

"  I  did  take  some  steps,  but  he  sent  me  to  General 
Dombrowski.     I  did  not  even  try  him." 

"  I  think  not." 

"  If  one  could  get  a  commission  at  a  price,  then  who  knows  ?  " 

"Well,  if  you  have  money,  then  do  it." 

Pan  Ksawery  sighed. 


44  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

''  It  would  be  very  difficult  for  me  just  now." 

"  And  you  think  that  it  would  not  be  difficult  for  me  ?  You 
had  better  stay  in  your  country  seat  as  I  do,  for  it  is  all  of  no 
use  to-day.  Have  influence  ?  Any  man  such  as  Wybicki 
succeeds.  Go  to  your  country  seat  as  I  said.  But  I  suppose 
your  wife  would  prefer  .  .  ." 

"  You  know  that  we  must  stay  here  for  the  sake  of  Kazi- 
mierz's  projected  marriage.  There  would  be  no  obstacles  if  it 
were  not  for  the  Ossolinskis,  but  we  count  laiuch  on  your  wife, 
who,  as  it  seems,  is  a  great  friend  of  the  young  Princess 
Radziwil's  ;  she  even  intended  to  go  driving  with  her  to-day." 

"  Yes,  she  has  gone — it  was  for  tliat  reason  we  remained  one 
day  longer." 

"  I  am  very  grateful,  only  Ossolinski's  presence  would  be  in 
the  way." 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

"  Our  footman  saw  by  accident  Pani  Walewska  driving  with 
Ossoliński  and  the  young  Princess  Radziwil.  I  wonder  that  the 
Princess's  mother  allowed  it." 

The  Chamberlain  frowned. 

"  Why  should  there  be  any  question  about  permission  ?  My 
wife  is  there  ;  it  suffices." 

Pan  Ksawery  grew  surprised  at  his  father's  severity,  and 
turned  the  conversation  to  the  current  events,  but  he  met  with 
such  angry  answers  that  he  rose,  and,  having  repeated  his  own 
and  his  family's  good  wishes,  took  his  leave. 

The  Chamberlain  thanked  him,  returned  the  wishes,  and  said 
something  that  in  case  of  an  alliance  with  the  Radziwils  he 
would  take  on  himself  the  wedding  expenses. 

When  Pan  Ksawery  left,  the  Chamberlain  rang  for  a  servant 
and  asked  whether  "her  ladyship"  had  returned.  Receiving 
a  negative  ansv^er  he  became  very  angry.  The  conversation 
with  his  son  increased  his  irritation.  He  had  made  the  effort  to 
mend  his  relations  with  him,  but  he  had  been  unsuccessful. 

According  to  the  Chamberlain,  Pan  Ksawery  had  neither  his 
father's  ambition,  good  taste,  nor  good  manners.  He  was  living 
in  Warsaw,  and  had  not  succeeded  in  getting  a  Government 
appointment,  although  his  road  was  opened  to  him  by  his  social 
position,  and  his  large  estates,  and  by  his  father's  splendour, 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  45 

not  to  speak  of  his  grandfather  and  great-grandfather.  For  the 
Chamberlain  was  one  of  the  oldest  knights  of  the  White  Eagle 
Order^  and  he  was  appointed  a  Chamberlain  without  even  being 
obliged  to  win  over  to  his  side  the  King's  valet^  Ryx. 

Then  he  remembered  what  his  son  said  about  Pani  Walewska's 
driving.  The  Chamberlain  had  rebuked  it^  but  he  felt  uneasy 
about  it  all  the  same. 

A  drive  with  a  youth  without  a  chaperon,  and  that,  toOj  with 
Ossoliński,  who  had  tried  to  win  the  Princess  Radziwil. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  the  clock ;  it  was  two. 

Baptiste  had  already  announced  that  lunch  was  ready ;  the 
Chamberlain  told  him  to  wait,  and  every  little  while  asked  if 
"her  ladyship"  had  returned.  He  ordered  the  clock  to  be  put 
on  a  table  in  front  of  him ;  he  watched  its  hands  going  round 
slowly,  and  rapped  at  the  cover  of  his  snuff-box. 

In  that  state  Princess  Jabłonowska  found  him,  and  seeing  her 
brother's  bad  temper  she  began  by  sympathising  with  him. 

''Mon  cher  ami!  ...  I  was  just  driving  by;  I  was  returning 
from  the  Countess  Stanislaus  Potocka  and  I  thought  of  you,  cher 
ami,  that  you  are  all  alone.     Where  is  Mary  ?  " 

"She  went  with  Jeannette,  and  has  not  yet  come  back." 

"  Ah !  it  is  true !  I  had  forgotten  about  it.  EUe  te  neglige, 
but  she  could  not  return  yet ;  I  am  sure  she  could  not." 

"  What !  from  a  short  drive  .''  " 

"  Not  so  short !  I  have  just  met  the  Count  Thomas  Lubieński ; 
he  belongs  to  the  guard  of  honour  that  was  to  meet  the 
Emperor ;  the  Emperor  came  back  about  an  hour  ago.  Well, 
then,  Thomas  Lubieński  told  me  that  he  met  Ossolinski's  sledge 
on  the  bridge  in  the  direction  of  Praga." 

"  Ossolinski's  sledge  }  " 

"  Yes  ;  Mary  and  Jeannette  Avere  with  him." 

'^  It  is  impossible." 

"  There  is  no  doubt  about  it.  Chevalier  de  Gorayski  accom- 
panied them  on  horseback." 

"  You  are  joking." 

"  Mon  cher,  Thomas  would  not  lie.  And  then  there  is  nothing 
veiy  terrible  in  that,  for  Gorayski  has  already  returned  to 
W^arsaw  ;  I  saw  him  at  the  Potockis'." 

"This  surpasses  all  limits.  ...   I  cannot  allow  such  things. 


46  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

I  must  stop  that.  To-morrow— to-day  even — we  shall  leave.  .  .  . 
I  ought  never  to  have  come  here." 

"  Mon  pauvre,  do  not  reproach  yourself— it  grieves  me.  It  is 
simply  chance.  .  .  .  Marie  is  young,  and  without  experience  of 
life.  I  do  not  suspect  her  of  anything  bad — she  is  unwise,  that 
is  all.  She  cannot  move  without  giving  occasion  for  comment — 
that  talk  about  grandmother  and  grandson " 

"  What  talk  }  " 

"Do  not  mind  it — it  is  only  a  trifle;  country  peo})le  gossip.  .  .  . 
You  will  take  her  to  Walewice  and  everything  will  be  forgotten.' 

The  Princess  stopped  suddenly,  for  she  was  frightened  at 
seeing  the  Chamberlain  tremble  all  over,  as  if  shaken  by  a 
fever. 

"  O  Lord !  I  have  upset  you  !  But  you  must  not  mind  it  so 
much.  Time  will  cure  many  things.  She  is  not  guilty.  Her 
education.  .  .  .  My  dear  Anastazy,  try  to  overcome  your  irrita- 
tion, it  might  hurt  you.  ...  I  have  seen  Gorayski  only  a  short 
time  ago,  therefore  they  must  have  met  just  for  a  few  minutes 
.  .  .  perhaps  they  did  not  even  have  a  chance  to  talk  ...  I 
will  find  out  through  Jeannette,  only  be  calm." 

"  But  ...  I  am  not  irritated,"  mumbled  the  Chamberlain. 

"  Don't  tell  me  that.  ...  I  know  you  must  have  been  hurt. 
.  .  .  Do  not  deny  it.  ...  I  understand.  But  you  have  been 
prepared  for  some  anxiety.  ...  I  have  always  been  against 
this  marriage.  ...  I  had  no  confidence  in  Marie.  Her  modesty 
and  her  taciturnity  shocked  me.  .  .  .  Now  you  will  have  to 
take  her  away,  for,  as  you  know,  there  will  be  some  gossip,  and 
the  Princess  Dominik  will  break  off  the  negotiations.  .  .  .  She 
will  be  bound  to  do  so.  .  .  ." 

"Leave  that  to  me." 

"  I  never  meddle  with  your  affairs.  When  Thomas  told  me 
about  it  I  was  ashamed,  but  I  pretended  that  I  did  not  under- 
stand.    Then,  when  are  you  going  back  to  Wale\^'ice  ?  " 

"  To-day — to-morroAv — immediately  !  There  is  no  need  for 
me  to  be  here.  The  whole  of  Warsaw  is  nothing  to  me.  I  do 
not  care  either  for  your  reception  or  for  society  from  the  other 
end  of  the  world.     Such  society  does  not  interest  me." 

The  Princess  nodded  convincingly. 

"  My  dear  Anastazy  !     And  what  can   I   say  ?     I   am   bored 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  47 

myself  by  these  people.  After  the  Prussians  were  driven 
away^  they  came  out  from  all  the  dark  corners  and  fought  for 
positions.  After  Carnival  I  am  going  to  Vienna.  The  Prince 
de  Ligny  has  written  twice  to  me.  I  would  go  sooner,  but  I  pity 
Ksawery's  wife — the  marriage  would  fail  without  me,  for  I  am 
tres  hien  with  the  Princess  Dominik.  .   .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  rapped  his  snuff-box  and  was  silent.  The 
Princess  was  hurt  by  it. 

'^'^  You  do  not  take  any  interest  in  all  that/'  she  finished, 
bitingly. 

The  Chamberlain  moved  in  his  armchair. 

"I  do  not  take  any  interest  in  anything,"  he  burst  out 
angrily.  "Let  Ksawery  do  what  he  likes,  I  do  not  care  about  it. 
I  have  given  him  a  good  family  name,  influence  at  Court, 
estates  —  he  has  squandered  all.  Let  him  suffer  now — I  do 
not  wish  to  hear  of  anything !  I  return  to  Walewice  im- 
mediately.    I  have  been  bothered  enough." 

"  Yes  ;  but  one  must  think  about  the  equipment  of  his  son." 

"  He  has  a  father,  let  him  do  it." 

"  Ksawery  was  obliged  to  mortgage  his  estate.  .  .  .  Now  he 
has  not  to  trouble  himself  about  the  debts,  for  the  Prussians  are 
driven  away;  but  should  the  new  Government  put  things  straight, 
then  he  will  be  ruined." 

"  Let  him  seek  favour  with  the  new  Government  then,  so  as 
not  to  be  pressed  for  payment." 

"  But  how  ?  You  have  no  idea  about  the  situation.  It  is 
difficult  to  make  out  who  rules.  They  say  that  the  Emperor 
promised  the  Polish  crown  to  Murat.  It  would  be  very  easily 
done  with  Napoleon.  We  may  have  a  king  taken  from  the 
mob.  Prince  Joseph  Poniatowski  has  lost  all  influence.  Prince 
Borghese  promised  Madame  de  Vauban  that  he  would  speak  to 
the  Emperor  about  Ksawery,  but  as  it  seems  he  himself  is  not 
in  very  good  odour  with  Napoleon,  at  least,  so  says  Constant, 
valet  de  chavibrc  de  l' Empereiir,  a  kind  of  Ryx  of  our  last  king. 
In  a  word,  it  is  a  muddle  ;  who  can  should  wait  until  everything 
becomes  clear.  My  dear  Anastazy,  I  do  hope  you  will  re- 
member poor  Casimir,  U  est  tres  Men.  I  am  enjoying  his  marriage 
in  anticipation  !     Excuse  me  for  having  bothered  you." 

"  Not  at  all." 


48  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  know  it  tries  you !  But  it  -would  be  worse  if  you  were 
obliged  to  move  amongst  these  people.  I  hope  that  everything 
will  go  right.  I  shall  write  to  you  at  once  to  Walewice  should 
anything  of  importance  happen.  The  Princess  Dominik 
Radziwil  likes  you  very  much ;  she  said  to  me  that  you  are 
toiijours  le  meme.  She  is  right.  If  you  only  had  not  that 
trouble  with  Marie,  Kiss  her  for  me.  Then,  au  revoir.  I  shall  be 
so  happy  to  be  able  to  send  the  newly-married  couple  to  be 
blessed  at  Walewice.  Do  not  think  about  that  other  matter; 
it  is  done.  The  people  Avill  soon  forget  it,  provided  you  do  not 
give  them  occasion  to  remember  it." 

At  last  the  Chamberlain  found  himself  alone ;  he  breathed 
freely,  wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  forehead,  and  having 
asked  his  lackey  if  his  wife  had  returned,  ordered  his  dinner  to 
be  sei'ved.  But  he  had  no  appetite,  the  courses  were  taken 
away  untouched,  notwithstanding  Baptiste's  recommendation. 

From  irritation  the  Chamberlain  passed  to  apathy,  which  was 
so  strong  that  when  the  valet  told  him  that  Pani  Walewska  had 
returned,  he  only  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  remained  motion- 
less. 

Baptiste,  knowing  his  master  well,  left  him  alone. 

Thus  several  hours  passed  away.  In  the  room  the  dusk  had 
already  begun  to  lay  its  shadows,  the  fire  in  the  grate  shining 
more  and  more  redly,  catcliing  a  glint  from  the  paling  bright- 
ness of  the  sceptre  yielded  by  vanishing  day,  when  the  Cham- 
berlain woke  up,  I'ubbed  his  eyes,  and  began  to  think  what 
steps  he  should  take  with  regard  to  his  wife's  levity,  whether  to 
have  an  explanation  with  her  at  once,  or  to  postpone  it  until 
they  returned  to  Walewice,  and  for  the  present  to  assume  an 
attitude  of  contempt  and  indifference. 

The  first  thought  dominated  him. 

The  Chamberlain  stretched  out  his  hand  in  order  to  ring  for  a 
lackey  and  tell  him  to  summon  Pani  Walewska,  when  suddenly 
there  rushed  into  his  room  his  valet  Baptiste. 

"  What  is  it }  " 

"  His  Excellency,  Monsieur  de  Talleyrand  Pćrigord,  Prince  of 
Benevento." 

The  Chamberlain  jumped  from  his  chair. 

"  Who  }  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  49 

"The  Prince  of  Benevento  wishes  to  see  you^  my  lord." 

The  Chamberlain  was  moved  as  by  an  electric  cm-rent  at  the 
news.  Hastily  he  put  on  his  grey  evening  dress^  not  forgetting 
the  ribbon  of  the  Order^  and  went  to  the  blue  drawing-room, 
where  Talleji-and  was  waiting  for  him. 

The  Prince  of  Benevento  received  with  graciousness  the 
Chamberlain's  welcome,  in  which  was  mingled  a  question  as  to 
the  honour  done  to  him,  and  an  allusion  to  the  effect  that  he 
did  not  doubt  M.  de  Tallep-and's  amiability  ;  and  when  Pan 
Walewski  finally  was  seated  opposite  him,  the  Frenchman  said, 
with  exquisite  pohteness  :  "  You  must  forgive  me  my  late  call, 
due  to  the  news  that  you  are  going  to  leave  Warsaw  to-morrow." 

"  I  have  some  pressing  business." 

"What  a  pity,  for  just  now  the  town  has  great  attractions. 
The  Emperor  proposes  to  stay  here  for  a  time  longer.  The  sun 
rises,  the  stars  should  not  leave  their  positions.  ..." 

The  Chamberlain  glanced  at  his  star  of  the  Order,  and  said  in 
a  melancholy  tone :  "  It  should  be  so  .  .  .  but  to-day  there  are 
new  people,  I  mean  to  say  younger  .  .  .  they  regret  our  most 
gracious  king  less.  We  old  servants  of  Stanislaus  are  more  com- 
fortable in  the  quiet  of  our  homes." 

"  You  seem  to  disdain  our  national  ciy, '  Le  Rot  est  mort,  vive  le 
Roi  ! '  Is  it  not  true  that  to  a  new  ruler  those  who  carried  the 
burden  of  his  predecessor's  throne  are  dear  ?  How  can  the  old 
times  return  if  those  who  were  formei'ly  at  the  head  withdraw  ?" 

"  Very  kind  opinion.  .  .  ." 

"  Not  at  all.  I  should  like,  however,  to  persuade  you  to  give 
up  your  idea  of  going  back  to  the  countiy.  To  a  man  of  your 
merit  there  are  very  Avide  fields  open.  Who  should  be  placed  at 
the  head  if  not  people  like  you.'*  " 

The  Chamberlain  was  beaming  with  satisfaction.  He  looked 
more  and  more  kindly  at  the  Prince  of  Benevento,  who  appeai-ed 
not  to  notice  the  impression  his  words  made  on  his  host.  Then, 
wishing  to  conquer  him  entirely,  he  said  abruptly :  "  The 
Emperor  was  to-day  asking  about  you." 

The  Chamberlain  shivered.  He  sat  upright  in  his  chair,  and 
whispered  timidly :  "  The  Emperor  ?  How  could  I  have  deserved 
such  a  favour  .'' " 

"  You  must  not  forget  that  one  of  the  qualities  which  made 

E 


50  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

tlie  Emperor  what  he  is  now  was  the  art  of  knowing  people,  of 
penetrating  them.  .  .  I  will  tell  you  more.  The  Emperor 
deigned  not  only  to  ask  about  you,  but  he  also  expressed  the 
wish  to  see  you  at  the  reception  in  the  Castle." 

'•  His  Majesty's  wish  is  a  command  to  me." 

"\  am  very  happy  to  be  able  to  repeat  to  his  Majesty  your 
words,  and  I  hojDe  that  Madame  Walewska  will  be  kind  enough 
to  accompany  you." 

"  If  only  her  health  will  permit  her." 

"Then  she  is  not  well  t  " 

"  Yes  .  .  .  she  is  not  very  strong." 

"  Only  the  most  prominent  people  will  have  the  honour  to  be 
invited  with  their  wive?.  If,  then,  Madmne  voire  epoiise  cannot 
come  .  .  .  ?" 

"Oh,  she  is  only  temporarily  indisposed,"  said  the  Chamber- 
lain hastily. 

"I  thought  so,"  said  Talleyrand,  with  a  malicious  smile. 
"  The  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court  will  not  fail  to  send  you  an 
invitation  for  all  receptions  and  balls,  and  I  am  certain  that  you 
will  allow  your  wife  to  mingle  with  that  select  circle  of  people 
who  will  have  the  honour  to  be  presented  to  his  Majesty." 

"I  should  not  try  to  excuse  myself,  though  .  .  .  truly,  my 
wife  is  temporarily  not  well." 

"  Is  it  possible }  Yesterday,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  she  was  at 
the  reception  of  the  Princess  ....''" 

"  Yes  ;  but  an  indisposition  obliged  her  to  leave  early." 

"It  would  be  a  great  pity  if  both  of  you  were  not  able  to 
take  part  ...  for  in  that  case,  truly,  I  do  not  know  who  would 
give  the  Emperor  a  good  idea  of  the  capital,  famous  for  its 
chivalrous  nobility  and  the  beauty  of  its  women.  Pi'ay  do  not 
embarrass  Duroc." 

The  Chamberlain  could  hardly  keep  still  in  his  chair. 

"  It  would  be  impossible  to  resist  such  arguments,  pronounced 
with  such  eloquence.  Moreover,  I  am  glad  to  see  that  your 
renown  was  not  over-estimated,  for  I  know  that  from  hearing 
about  your  great  merits.  I  had  conceived  for  you  the  highest 
respect,  much  more  so  from  the  fact  that  I  consider  the  family 
of  Perigord  one  of  the  oldest  among  those  of  which  France  can 
boast." 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  51 

Talleyrand  reddened  at  this  implied  compliment.  Under  the 
brilliant  uniform  of  Napoleon's  minister  there  ran  the  blood  of 
a  once  independent  nobleman.  The  Prince  of  Benevento  ex- 
tended his  gold  snuff-box  to  the  Chamberlain,  who  in  return 
proffered  him  his  own,  as  rich  and  as  beautifully  chased. 

"^  Beautiful !  "  said  Talleyrand. 

"A  present  from  the  best  of  kings,"  answered  the  Chamber- 
lain modestly ;  and  looking  at  his  guest's  snuff-box,  asked 
politely  :  "  And  yours  .''  " 

"A  present  from  the  most  unfortunate  of  kings,"  answered 
M.  de  Perigord  sentimentally,  and  sighed. 

The  Chamberlain  did  the  same. 

Talleyrand  became  thoughtful,  and  then  he  said  after  a  while, 
returning  to  the  interrupted  conversation,  but  from  another 
point:  "The  times  change,  the  rulers  change  also.  It  is  a  pleasure 
to  find  among  our  new  men  such  people  as  you,  therefore  you 
must  not  deprive  us  of  that  pleasure.  I  am  sure  that  many 
things  must  shock  such  a  man  as  you,  but  be  assured  that  there 
are  people  among  us  able  to  respect  the  blood  of  Roman 
patricians  that  is  in  you.  We  are  under  the  constellation  of 
Mars,  therefore  any  rifle  is  of  importance.  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain,  altogether  blinded  by  the  deference  shown 
him,  permitted  himself  to  make  a  few  ironical  remarks  directed 
against  those  men  in  Warsaw  who  assumed  the  role  of  leaders, 
although  they  had  no  right  either  by  birth  or  by  merit ;  and 
whose  arrogance  drove  away  from  the  throne  those  who  had 
supported  it,  and  had  carried  the  burden  of  representation  of 
the  state  from  generation  to  generation. 

The  Prince  of  Benevento  answered  in  the  same  tone,  direct- 
ing his  sting  against  those  who  at  least  began  to  understand 
that  officers  and  marshals  can  be  created,  but  that  to  wear  the 
coronet  of  a  prince  one  must  be  born  a  nobleman. 

After  a  further  exchange  of  sentiments  agreeable  to  both, 
Talleyrand,  conducted  to  the  ante-chamber  by  the  Chamberlain, 
took  his  leave,  and  departed. 

The  Chamberlain  rushed  into  his  wife's  apartments. 

Pani  Walewska  had  been  told  by  her  maid  of  her  husband's 
frequent  inquiries  concerning  her  absence ;  now  at  the  sight  of 
him  she  grew  pale^  expecting  an  avalanche  of  reproaches.     But 


52  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

the  Chamberlain  was  so  completely  taken  up  with  the  con- 
versation he  had  just  had  that  he  forgot  even  the  memory  of 
his  former  irritation. 

The  Chamberlain  was  dominated  by  one  thought,  the  thought 
of  the  Emperor  who  remembered  hini;,  who  had  not  dared  to 
neglect  him,,  but  who  undoubtedly  told  Talleyrand  to  make  the 
first  advances  .  .  .  and  notwithstanding — of  this  he  was  certain 
— the  intriguing  of  the  Poniatowskis.  The  Chamberlain,  how- 
ever, had  such  an  exalted  opinion  of  himself,  that  while  re- 
joicing he  tried  to  appear  indifferent.  Therefore  he  greeted 
his  wife  by  a  slight  movement  of  his  head,  glanced  at  her  face 
flushed  by  the  cold,  asked  whether  she  had  had  her  dinner, 
and  then,  tapping  energetically  on  the  lid  of  his  snuff-box,  he 
rose  on  tiptoe,  and  said  negligently :  "  Monsieur  de  Perigord 
called  on  me." 

Pani  Walewska  raised  her  eyebroAvs  and  looked  at  her  husband 
in  astonishment. 

"Talleyrand  de  Perigord^  the  Prince  of  Benevento/'  added 
the  Chamberlain. 

"  He  called  on  you }  " 

"  Why  not  ?  They  are  tiying  to  win  me  over  to  their  side. 
They  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  must  have  with 
them  some  one  of  greater  importance  than  Wybicki  and  Dom- 
browski.  .  .  .  Talleyrand  is  a  very  clever  man.  ...  I  told  them 
what  I  thought  they  ought  to  know,  that,  notwithstanding  the 
war,  they  cannot  afford  to  quarrel  with  the  old  families,  or  to 
make  senators  of  the  mob." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  husband  so  strangely  that  he 
resented  it,  and  said :  "  W^hy  are  you  looking  as  if  I  were  a 
madman  ?" 

"  It  is  not  that,  but  I  do  not  understand  what  you  are  talking 
about." 

"  I  told  you  that  Talleyrand  had  called  on  me." 

"The  Emperor's  minister.''" 

"  Therefore  not  too  big  a  man  to  call  on  Colonna  Walewski." 

"What  was  the  object  of  his  visit  ?  " 

"  He  learned  that  I  was  still  in  Warsaw,  and  came  with  New 
Year  wishes — of  course,  not  by  his  own  impulse.  Strictly  speak- 
ing, he  wished  to  find  out  whether  I  would  accept  an  invitation 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  53 

to  a  reception  at  the  Castle.  I  could  hardly  refuse.  Do  you 
understand  ?  The  Emperor  wishes  to  have  on  his  side  some  one 
of  greater  importance  than  Gutakowski  and  Wojczynski.  Well, 
I  must  sacrifice  myself,  that  is  all.  John  must  go  to  Walewice 
to  bring  a  few  more  servants  and  furniture ;  we  must  make  some 
changes  here,  for  we  shall  be  obliged  to  receive.  You  must 
look  to  your  frocks.  I  do  not  like  the  trouble,  but  I  must 
make  some  sacrifices  for  my  country.  No,  I  cannot  excuse 
myself;  I  should  be  called  an  egotist." 

Pani  Walewska  at  such  a  speech  was  still  more  surprised  than 
before. 

"  Then  what  do  you  propose  to  do .''  " 

The  Chamberlain  coughed,  and  tugged  at  the  ribbon  of  his 
Order. 

"  Do  you  think  that  I  shall  join  Dombrowski's  regiments } 
What  shall  I  do .-"  The  Emperor  calls  me  to  his  side,  con- 
sequently I  must  join  him.     Do  you  understand  ?  " 

''  But  the  Court  life  .  .  .  ?  " 

'''You  cannot  tell  me  anything  I  do  not  know  about  Court 
life.  I  am  familiar  with  every  corner  in  the  Castle,  and  there 
is  not  a  path  in  the  pai'k  surrounding  the  Łazienki  Palace  that 
I  have  not  walked  on.  Do  you  think  that  such  a  man  as 
Napoleon  troubles  about  such  things.'*  He  needs  Walewski, 
that  is  all.  But  Walewski  will  not  be  satisfied  with  any  paltry 
office ;  he  does  not  bring  his  experience  into  the  service  to  be 
subordinate  to  anyone  but  the  Emperor  himself." 

"  Will  your  health  not  suffer  ł  " 

"  What  a  sudden  anxiety !  The  only  kind  of  life  that  can 
do  me  any  harm  is  the  monotonous,  solitary  life.  You  seem  to 
think  that  I  do  not  care  for  anything  but  Walewice.  We  shall 
stay  here." 

"  I  do  not  wish  for  anything  better  myself." 

"  Aha  .  .  .  you  like  the  idea  .  .  .  you  think  that  you  can  go 
out  driving  every  day,  then.  .  .  .  Where  have  you  been,''  " 

Pani  Walewska  became  confused. 

"We  went  out  with  Jeannette." 

"  What  an  innocent  excuse !  And  what  about  Praga  and 
Ossoliński  ?  " 

"  He  joined  us.  .  .  .  Jeannette's  mother  .  .  .*' 


54  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

"And  Gorayski  ?" 

"  He  conducted  us  over  the  bridge,  otherwise  we  could  not 
have  passed." 

"  But  you  did  not  need  to  pass  the  bridge." 

"We  wanted  to  see  the  Emperor." 

The  Chamberlain  was  appeased  at  once. 

"Well,  there  was  no  need  for  haste.  .  .  .  And  did  you  see 
him  ?  " 

"  Yes,  while  he  was  passing,"  said  Pani  Walewska  evasively. 

"  Did  you  like  him  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  I  should  think  so  !  Such  an  Emperor  !  Only,  for  the  future, 
be  wise,  and  never  give  an  opportunity  for  slander.  I  do  not 
wish  to  reproach  you,  only  I  advise  you  to  be  prudent.  But 
how  was  it  that  Ossoliński  was  with  you  ? " 

"He  is  Jeannette's  cousin  and  admirer." 

"  He  beo-ins  early.  And  did  you  find  out  how  Jeannette  is 
disposed  towards  Kazimierz  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  have  an  opportunity.  .  .  It  was  impossible  while 
Ossoliński  was  with  us." 

"Well,  never  mind.  Princess  Radziwil  will  soon  try  to 
catch  my  grandson  for  her  daughter.  To-morrow  morning  we 
shall  call  on  Princess  Jabłonowska  ;  she  must  advise  where  to 
order  your  frocks.  I  will  pay  all  your  bills.  I  shall  send  to 
Walewice  to-day,  for  as  we  shall  be  receiving  we  might  be  short 
of  silver.  Tell  John  what  cases  he  is  to  bring.  ...  I  will 
attend  to  the  wine." 

The  Chamberlain  strutted  about  the  room,  sat  down,  and 
then  rose  again,  opened  and  closed  his  snuff-box,  and  made 
grander  and  grander  plans,  so  that  by  the  time  he  felt  sleepy 
he  had  decided  to  bring  from  Walewice  the  whole  retinue  of 
servants,  several  horses  and  carriages,  besides  a  great  many 
other  things. 

His  wife  tried  to  dissuade  him  from  doing  so,  but  her  argu- 
ments only  induced  him  to  give  the  order  at  once,  and  he  Avas 
very  much  irritated  at  her  remark  that  she,  for  her  part,  did 
not  care  for  Court  life. 

The  Chamberlain  burst  out:  "Do  you  think  that  just  for 
your  caprices  I  shall  refuse  to  serve  my  country,  that  I  shall 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  55 

repulse  M.  de  Perigord,  that  I,  Colonna  Walewskie  I — shall  live 
in  the  country  like  any  genlillatre  ?  " 

But  Pani  Walewska  would  not  allow  herself  to  be  rebuked. 

"You  yourself  made  me  accustomed  to  such  a  life;  you  for- 
bade me  to  see  people ;  I  did  not  oppose  you,  for  I  was  not 
tempted  by  the  reunions.  .  .  .  You  would  not  allow  me  to 
receive  even  our  nearest  relations.   ..." 

"  Yes,  such  as  Gorayski !  And  such  madcaps  as  Kozietulski, 
Jerzmanowski,  and  your  brother,  that  crowd  who  dragged  me 
pretty  nearly  into  a  conflict  with  the  Prussian  Government. 
You  are  to  do  as  I  say ;  I  shall  bring  no  disgrace  upon  my 
name.  Well,  if  you  wish  to  know  something  more,  let  me  tell 
you  that  the  Emperor  asked  about  me." 

"The  Emperor  I  "  repeated  Pani  Walewska. 

"Nothing  wonderful  in  that.  Formerly,  a  king  could  not 
have  got  along  without  me,  and  now  the  Emperor." 

Pani  Walewska  thought  that  her  husband  was  merely  brag- 
ging, so  she  determined  to  be  silent,  and  to  wait  patiently. 
At  that  moment  a  lackey  appeared  in  the  doorway  canying  a 
silver  tray,  on  which  rested  a  large  bouquet  and  a  letter. 

The  Chamberlain  frowned. 

"  From  whom .''  "  asked  he. 

"  I  do  not  know,  my  lord  ...  a  footman  brought  it." 

"  Give  me  the  letter,  and  bring  me  my  glasses — quick  !  " 

The  lackey  put  down  the  tray  and  the  flowers  on  a  table  near 
the  door. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  angrily  by  turns  first  at  the  letter, 
on  which  in  wax  was  impressed  some  coat-of-arais,  and  then  at 
his  wife's  blushing  face. 

"  This  is  the  last  touch !  Flov.'ers !  We  shall  find  out  the 
truth  presently  !    What  a  success  you  have  obtained  in  one  day!  " 

The  lackey  entered  with  the  spectacles. 

"  Bring  me  the  light  here." 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  the  letter,  addressed  to  him  in 
French. 

He  cleared  his  throat,  broke  the  seal,  and  glanced  at  the 
contents  of  the  letter ;  he  cleared  his  throat  again,  brought  the 
letter  nearer  to  the  light,  and  motioned  the  lackey  to  leave. 
Then  he  read  the  letter  again,  and  approached  the  bouquet ;  he 


56  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

took  it  up  carefully,  and,  beaming  with  content,  glided  towards 
his  wife,  kissed  her  small  hand  noisily^  and,  presenting  it  to 
her,  said  caressingly — 

''Accept  this  with  compliments  from  me." 

"  But  where  from  ?  " 

"  The  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court  sends  it,"  said  the 
Chamberlain,  making  an  effort  to  keep  calm. 

"  You  are  joking.   .  .  ." 

"  Read  the  note  !  What  a  clever  felloAv  ;  he  knows  who  it  is 
that  deserves  respect  and  something  more." 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  pay  any  attention  to  her  husband's 
boasting  ;  she  was  reading  the  letter,  which  was  indeed  very 
short,  containing  only  a  few  lines  concerning  the  impossibility 
of  visiting  the  W^alewskis  previous  to  it,  oAving  to  their  tardy 
arrival  in  Warsaw,  and  announcing  that  the  writer  would  call 
on  them  the  next  day,  and  meanwhile  begged  Pani  W'alewska  to 
accept  the  accompanying  flowers  as  a  token  of  goodwill  for  the 
New  Year. 

Pani  Walewska  touched  the  bouquet,  and  said  hesitatingly  : 
"  The  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court.  .  .  .  Such  an  unexpected 
honour.  ...  I  do  not  know  the  meaning  of  it.  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  puffed  out  his  flabby  cheeks,  cleared  his 
throat,  and  balancing  himself  on  his  tiptoes,  said  emphatically : 
"  It  is  not  the  Grand  Marshal ;  it  is  the  Emperor." 

Pani  Walewska  shivered. 

"What  makes  you  suppose  so?" 

"The  Grand  Marshal  is  only  allowed  to  favour  those  whom 
the  Emperor  favours.  And  the  best  proof  .  .  .  the  Emperor 
asked  after  us,  the  Marshal  hastens  to  make  himself  agreeable. 
Duroc  will  be  followed  by  Murat,  Murat  by  Borghese,  Borghese 
by  Davoust,  or  some  other  ...  in  a  word,  the  whole  Court. 
There  is  no  doubt  about  it.  Some  French  nobleman  must  have 
told  Napoleon,  for  during  the  reign  of  our  last  king  we  were  in 
continual  relations  with  the  principal  French  families.  Such  men 
as  Duroc  carried  parcels  for  us  then  !  But  what  is  the  matter 
with  you .''  Vous  eles  decouragee,  Madame.  What  an  idea  !  He 
is  an  agreeable  man,  nothing  else.  If  he  does  this,  it  is  not 
without  some  benefit  to  himself,  for  they  have  to  form  a  new 
governing  body.     It  is  not  yet  known  who  will  be  at  the  head 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  57 

of  it ;  the  Emperor's  choice  has  not  been  made  pubHc.  Ponia- 
towski's  adherents  tremble  ...  it  is  quite  uncertain.  The  time 
will  come.  ...  It  will  come." 

The  Chamberlain,  in  order  to  emphasise  his  words,  stretched 
himself  out  to  his  utmost,  but  quicker  still  he  bent  and  clutched 
at  his  knee.  The  terrible  pain  that  shot  through  it  cooled  his 
enthusiasm,  and  reminded  him  forcibly  of  gout  and  old  age. 

"  It  is  cold  here !  You  have  no  fire !  Always  something 
contrary  to  my  liking.  We  must  rise  early  to-morrow ;  there 
are  a  good  many  orders  to  be  given.  .  .  .  Then  the  Princess,  and 
Duroc  .  .  .  what  a  lot  there  will  be  to  do !  for  I  must  at  least 
leave  my  visiting  card  on  Talleyrand.  We  shall  spend  the 
evening  at  home.     Pray,  help  me  to  the  door ! " 

Pani  Walewska  took  her  husband's  arm  and  helped  him  to  his 
apartments,  where  she  left  him  in  Baptiste's  hands,  and  then 
returned  to  her  boudoir. 


CHAPTER  V 

AS  a  result  of  these  emotions  the  Chamberlain  got  a  fever 
_  which  bothered  him  much  more,  for  it  reminded  him  of 
the  impotence  of  old  age  at  the  moment  when  the  future 
seemed  to  announce  to  him  the  return  of  the  most  glorious  past 
times. 

He  would  be  at  the  head,  and  have  immense  influence,  and 
the  most  eminent  people  would  care  for  one  of  his  smiles  .  .  . 
for  one  kind  word.  It  would  be  enough  for  him  to  open  his 
lips  for  his  ■wishes  to  be  guessed  immediately :  his  looks  would 
mean  favour  or  disgrace  ...  he  would  be  both  powerful  and 
mighty.  .  .  . 

In  the  meanwhile.  Pani  Walewska's  thoughts  were  quite 
different. 

After  conducting  her  husband  to  his  apartment,  she  returned 
to  her  boudoir  and  seated  herself  in  the  comer  of  the  couch. 
She  was  disturbed  at  the  news  that  she  was  going  to  stay  in 
Warsaw.  The  sohtary  life  in  Walewice,  of  which  she  was  so 
much  afraid  a  short  time  ago,  now  seemed  to  her  to  be  a 
paradise.  She  was  afraid  of  Warsaw,  of  the  cold  drawing- 
rooms,  of  the  Princess-sister,  and  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz,  and 
Mme.  de  Vauban,  and  the  whole  of  that  world  of  intrigues, 
gossip,  paltry  cares,  and  hatreds. 

She  knew  that  world  but  little,  but  from  all  contact  with  it 
she  received  disillusion,  pain,  and  wounds !  And  what  for  ? 
Was  it  because  she  had  done  her  mother's  will  and  married  a 
man  old  enough  to  be  her  grandfather,  that  she  was  obliged  to 
give  up  all  her  dreams,  that  her  life  became  a  book,  the  first 
pages  of  which  were  missing  ? 

Out  of  her  youth,  full  of  bright  thoughts  and  radiant  faith, 
she  was  pushed  into  satiety.     She  was  ordered,  she  who  was 

S8 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  59 

just  rising,  to  follow  a  sunset ;  so  she  went  hiding  all  her  decep- 
tions, and  wished  to  believe  that  the  day  begins  and  ends  by  a 
cloudy  dusk,  that  the  dusk  gives  peace  of  life,  and  that  that 
quiet  was  better  than  her  fantastic  dreams. 

She  thought  then  that  her  sojourn  in  Warsaw  might  assure 
her  more  freedom,  or  at  least  break  the  monotony,  that  it  would 
stop  her  husband's  grumbling.  But  that  agreeable  thought  dis- 
appeared as  soon  as  she  remembered  Princess  Jabłonowska, 
who  undoubtedly  would  not  fail  to  spread  over  her  her  pro- 
tecting wings.  Even  her  husband's  ambitious  thoughts  did  not 
tempt  her.  What  would  she  do  in  the  Castle,  in  such  brilliant 
society .''  She,  a  poor  gentlewoman,  at  the  Emperor's  reception  ! 
Would  she  ever  know  how  to  move .''  Should  she  be  questioned 
by  the  Emperor,  could  she  give  him  an  answer,  not  dictated 
by  the  court  etiquette,  but  coming  from  the  heart .''  Never ! 
To-day,  there  on  the  road,  she  had  seen  him,  and  she  felt  proud, 
satisfied,  and  happy !  She  spoke  to  him  as  her  most  sincere 
enthiisiasm  dictated.  Napoleon  returning  victorious  from  the 
battlefield  appeared  to  her  great ;  he  w^as  such  as  her  brother 
represeiated  him  to  be  ;  he  was  that  legendary  hero,  saviour, 
absolute  ruler  of  Europe,  King  of  Kings !  But  there  in  the 
Castle,  surrounded  by  flatterers,  courtiers  .  .  .  let  the  others 
bow  to  the  ground  to  him,  let  them  solicit  his  smile,  let  them 
fight  for  his  look.   .  .  . 

Her  husband  is  a  dreamer ;  a  small  politeness  he  took  for  a 
special  favour.  He  will  lose  his  illusions  soon  .  .  .  although 
one  should  be  just,  and  gi'ant  that  the  French  people  could  not 
be  out-distanced  by  anybody  in  politeness.  Those  flowers,  for 
instance.  .  .  .  The  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court  remembering 
to  send  some  flowers  to  Pani  Walevv^ska !  How  many  similar 
letters  he  must  have  wi-itten ;  how  many  men  he  must  have 
sent  -with  flowers  ;  for  there  is  no  doubt  that  he  sent  out  a  great 
many  similar  bouquets. 

Pani  Walewska  stretched  out  her  arm  for  the  bouquet,  and 
began  to  play  with  the  lilies  of  the  valley,  to  touch  the  roses. 

Suddenly  a  piece  of  paper  rustled  amongst  the  flowers.  She 
took  it,  and  read  the  following  inscription  on  it :  "  Pour  la  belle 
Marie  !  " 

She  unfolded  the  paper,  and  she  found  on  the  other  side  of 


60  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

it,  \vTitten  with  the  same  even  handwriting :  "  On  s'est  fait 
repeler  votrc  nom  jusqiid  I'apprendre  par  cceur."  Pani  Walewska 
shiveredj  and  read  it  again. 

Then  there,  in  the  Castle  ...  by  the  means  of  a  bouquet, 
sent  by  the  Marshal  of  the  Court !  .  .  .  But  who  would  dare  to 
do  this  }  Gorayski  ?  Impossible  !  .  .  .  Perchance  that  hateful 
Count  Herceau.  Tlie  handwriting  was  the  same  as  on  the  letter 
written  to  the  Chamberlain — to  be  sure  the  same !  But  in  that 
case  .  .  .  why  Duroc?  He  had  never  seen  her  in  his  life  !  But 
perhaps  it  was  he  who  was  with  the  Emperor .'' 

Darkness  came  before  Pani  Walewska's  eyes,  her  beautiful 
face  reddened  with  anger. 

Therefore  for  her  goodwill,  for  her  disinterested  enthusiasm, 
perhaps  for  her  gay  curiosity,  flowing  only  from  the  purest 
source  of  admiration,  they  pay  her  by  a  love  madrigal !  .  .  . 
Therefore  he,  that  great  man,  that  God  of  War,  that  conqueror 
of  whom  she  dreamed,  would  be  as  a  commonplace,  heedless 
fellow  !  Then  it  was  in  such  a  way  he  explained  to  himself  her 
exclamation,  by  which  she  greeted  him  kneeling  on  the  step  of 
the  carnage .'' 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  at  herself;  her  fency  must  have 
carried  her  too  far !  The  indecent  importunity  of  that  Duroc 
she  dared  to  attribute  to  the  Emperor !  He  would  take  such 
a  mean  step !  he  would  send  to  a  married  woman !  .  .  .  No,  a 
hundred  times !  Duroc,  on]y  Duroc,  nobody  else.  Her  hus- 
band must  know  about  all  that ;  he  must  shelter  her  against 
similar  attacks. 

She  seized  the  bouquet,  crumpled  the  paper,  and,  with 
proudly  lifted  head,  went  to  her  husband's  apartments,  but 
when  she  touched  the  handle  of  the  door  conducting  to  the 
Chamberlain's  bedroom  the  cold  of  the  metal  penetrated  her 
through  and  froze  her  blood. 

But  suppose  her  husband  should  sneer  at  her  offended  pride ; 
suppose  the  Marshal's  name  should  overawe  him ;  suppose  he 
should  apply  to  her  his  ideas  of  a  former  courtier ;  suppose 
that  out  of  spite  to  her  he  would  not  acknowledge  that  her 
anger  was  justified .''  Pani  Walewska  retreated  from  the  door 
and  returned  to  her  apartment. 

No,  she  would  give  a  good  lesson  even  to  such  a  man  as 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  61 

Duroc.  She  would  administer  justice  herself;  she  would  make 
him  understand  that  he  was  wrong  .  .  ,  She  would  do  it  better, 
more  simply  than  the  Chamberlain  himself.  She  would  send 
back  the  bouquet  and  the  letter  and  pretend  that  she  had  never 
read  it. 

She  did  not  think  long.  She  rang  the  bell  for  her  chamber- 
maid and  told  her  to  call  John,  who  M^as  devoted  to  her. 

The  old  servant  came  in  immediately.  Pani  Walewska  put  the 
letter  between  the  flowers  and  handed  the  bouquet  to  the  man. 

^'^  Will  you  find  your  way  to  the  Castle  ?  "  she  asked. 

The  man  wished  to  answer,  but  Pani  Walewska  did  not  give 
him  time  to  gather  his  thoughts. 

"  You  must !  There  you  will  ask  for  the  Marshal  of  the 
Court,  Duroc  ;  you  must  see  him  and  give  him  back  those  flowers. 
Should  they  ask  you  who  sent  you,  say  it  is  I.  I  count  on  you. 
I  know  you  are  devoted  to  me.  Leave  the  house  in  such  a  way 
that  nobody  sees  you,  and  no  word  to  any  one  about  your 
message." 

John  bowed  and  stood  embarrassed,  looking  at  the  bouquet. 

"  Please,  my  lady,  they  are  waiting  for  me,  for  I  have  to  go 
to  Walewice  at  once  and  return  as  soon  as  possible." 

Pani  Walewska  came  to  the  man  and  put  her  hand  on  his 
shoulder.     "  I  thought  you  loved  me  a  little.   ..." 

John's  eyes  shone.     "  I  am  willing,  my  lady,  if " 

There  the  old  servant  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked  in  a 
strange  way  on  the  bouquet. 

Pani  Walewska  guessed  the  meaning  of  that  look. 

"John,"  she  said  emphatically,  "you  have  known  me  since  I 
was  a  child  .  .  .  The  question  is  not  about  a  simple  message,  but 
about  rendering  me  a  great  service.  .  .  .  Somebody  else  ought 
to  do  it;  I  am  not  going,  however,  to  force  you.  ...  I  can  see 
you  are  not  willing.  Leave  the  flowers,  I  shall  carry  them  back 
myself." 

"  Please,  my  lady,  I  am  willing,  I  will  go.  -  .  I  do  not  care 
if  I  am  late.  .   .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  repeated  her  instructions,  adding  that  he 
must  not  allow  himself  to  be  sent  away  without  seeing  the 
Marshal  himself;  he  must  hand  him  the  flowers  without  any 
explanation  whatever. 


CHAPTER  VI 

THE  next  day,  early  in  the  morning,  Baptiste  rapped  at 
Pani    Walewska's    door,    and    informed    her    that    the 
Chamberlain  was  already  up  and  waiting  for  her  to  go  out. 

Pani  Walewska  began  to  dress  hastily,  but  before  she  was 
ready  she  was  told  that  the  Princess-sister  wished  to  see  her. 
Pani  Walewska  told  the  chambennaid  to  ask  her  to  wait  a 
few  moments,  when  Princess  Jabłonowska  rushed  into  her 
dressing-room. 

"  Bla  cherc  Marie !  excuse  my  intrusion,  but  I  could  not  deny 
myself  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  toujoiirs  belle  !  I  learned  by 
accident,  through  my  footman,  that  you  are  going  to  stay ! 
How  glad  I  am !     Let  me  kiss  you  !  " 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you,"  said  Pani  Walewska  with 
an  effort. 

"  Do  not  mention  it.  I  am  always  your  friend.  How  is 
Anastazy .''  Yesterday  he  was  not  well.  I  quieted  him  as  well 
as  I  could.  You  understand  ...  at  his  age.  .  .  .  Evidently 
some  one  told  him  about  your  promenade  yesterday.  Well, 
Warsaw  is  a  small  town ;  they  gossip  about  anything.  But  I 
congratulate  you  on  yesterday's  success.  Everybody  is  talking 
about  you !  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale. 

"  Success  !  "  she  repeated,  with  an  effort. 

"Well,  you  were  lucky  to  converse  with  the  Emperor,  and, 
it  seems,  made  a  great  impression  on  him.  I  assure  you  I  am 
telling  you  the  truth.  It  will  be  sufficient  for  you  when  I  tell 
you  that  last  night  Duroc  called  on  Vauban.  .  .  .  He  tried  to 
find  out  all  about  you.  Anetka  was  awfully  angry.  You  were 
very  wise  to  persuade  Anastazy  to  stay." 

"Princess  ,  .  .  you  are  mistaken." 

62 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  63 

"  Chere  Marie  !  You  need  not  prevaricate  with  me  ;  1  am 
your  sister  ;  you  must  not.  Let  me  kiss  you  again.  I  am  your 
best  ft-iend.  If  you  want  anything  from  Anastazy,  I  will  help 
you  to  get  it  with  all  my  heart." 

"Thank  you." 

"  Of  course,  nothing  is  certain  yet.  Napoleon  is  not  constant 
in  his  sentiments.  But  we  shall  see  !  I  am  very  friendly  witli 
Talleyrand ;  I  shall  be  able  to  find  out  from  him,  and  let  you 
know  beforehand.  Only,  my  dearest,  when  you  have  an  oppor- 
tunity, remember  that  the  Prussians  have  confiscated  our  two 
estates ;  it  is  only  right  that  justice  should  be  done  to  me." 

Pani  Walewska  plucked  impatiently  at  her  handkerchief,  and 
said  coolly  :  "I  do  not  understand  a  word  of  what  you  are 
saying." 

The  Princess  patted  her  lightly  on  her  hand,  and  said 
jokingly  :  "  Tres  bien,  ires  hien !  You  must  act  in  that  way 
until  everything  is  cleared  up.  You  do  not  know  anything ; 
you  have  not  promised  anything.  I  tell  you,  Talleyrand  knows 
him  through  and  through  ;  he  is  peculiar  and  brutal ;  one  must 
be  careful  and  dexterous  with  him.  I  will  tell  you  another  piece 
of  great  news  even.  .  .  .  Eleonorę  Dennele  de  la  Plaigne  has 
had  a  son !  A  courier  from  Paris  brought  this  ncAvs.  In  answer, 
the  Emperor  sent  two  aides-de-camp.  Who  knows  what  will 
come  of  this  ?  .  .  .  Therefore  you  must  be  very  careful,  the  more 
so  as  Anetka  is  doing  her  best  .  .  .  And,  added  to  all  this,  the 
Princess  Lubomirska  succeeded  in  obtaining  an  audience  when 
he  was  coming  from  Pułtusk  ;  the  Emperor  found  her  charming. 
.  .  .  Therefore  all  depends.  .  .  ." 

Pani  WalcAvska  was  sitting  in  a  bent  attitude,  her  lips  tightly 
closed. 

The  Princess  was  offended  by  her  silence. 

"Ma  chere,  perhaps  you  are  angry  that  I  meddle  with  your 
affairs,  but  I  considered  it  to  be  my  duty ;  it  seemed  to  me  that 
my  experience  might  be  useful  to  you.  Believe  me,  if  it  had 
not  been  for  me,  Mme.  Grabowska  would  never  have  been  what 
she  was  with  our  last  king.  I  flatter  myself  that  I  know  the 
Court,  that  I  know  the  people,  that  I  have  experience." 

"  I  am  much  obliged,  but  I  do  not  need  that  experience  at  all." 

"  But,  Marie !     Well,  I  will  tell  you  the  whole  truth.  .  ,  , 


64  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Vauban  called  on  me,  and  I  promised  for  you  that  you  would 
not  forget  her.  She  can  help  you  .  .  .  for  do  you  think  that 
you  will  be  able  to  penetrate  into  the  Castle  should  Talleyrand 
not  be  willing?" 

"  I  do  not  propose  to  go  to  the  Castle  at  all." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you  ...  for  .  .  ." 

"  I  have  a  husband ! "  answered  Pani  Walewska  proudly, 
''  who  in  the  meanwhile  is  your  brother.  .  You  should  re- 
member this." 

The  Princess  made  an  impatient  movement. 

"  I  see  that  you  are  too  confident  in  yoiu-  own  ability.  You 
forget  that,  should  I  think  it  necessary,  I  can  persuade  Anastazy 
to  return  to  Walewice." 

"That  is  exactly  what  I  am  wishing  for." 

The  Princess  was  preparing  some  answer  when  the  Chamber- 
lain appeared  in  the  doonvay.  He  was  carefully  dressed, 
painted,  powdered,  and  scented. 

"  Ah,  sister  here !  We  were  going  to  call  on  you !  We 
needed  your  advice,  your  help.  .  .  ." 

"  It  is  difficult  to  believe  that.  ..." 

"The  principal  question  is  about  Mary's  frocks.  You  under- 
stand that  she  does  not  know  where  to  go ;  therefore,  dear 
sister  .  .  ." 

"  But  what  can  I  do  ?  .  .  .  Joubert  is  open  to  everybody. 
Nothing  easier  than  to  go  to  him  and  order.  But  I  hear  that 
Marie  wishes  to  return  to  Walewice,  which  I  think  very  wise. 
It  is  very  natural  with  her  tastes,  and  I  do  not  wonder  that  she 
does  not  wish  to  appear  in  Court,  for,  strictly  speaking,  it  is  not 
a  Court  but  a  camp.  ..." 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  grimace. 

"You  are  mistaken  !  "  he  said.  "There  are  times  when  one 
is  obliged  to  give  up  and  sacrifice  many  things.  We  must  stay 
in  Warsaw." 

"  Ah,  yes  ! "  rejoined  the  Princess,  with  a  strange  intonation 
in  her  voice. 

The  Chamberlain  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  rose  on  his  tip- 
toes. 

"  I  do  not  like  to  have  to  stay  here  myself,  but  I  cannot  find 
any  excuse.  :  ,  r  They  would  be  offended,  and  then  they  would 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  65 

say  that  I  allowed  certain  men  to  come  forward  .  .  .  therefore 
I  hope  you  will  not  refuse  to  help  Mary." 

'"^If  such  is  your  wish  I  am  ready — with  pleasure.  Joubert 
has  imported  lovely  things.  .  .   .  There  is  a  large  choice." 

Here  the  Princess  began  to  describe  enthusiastically  Pani 
Walewska's  future  frocks. 

The  Chamberlain  helped  her  conscientiously,  discussing  the 
harmony  of  colours  and  all  possible  details. 

Sometimes  he  would  put  on  his  eyeglass,  and  look  critically  at 
his  wife's  figure  before  deciding. 

Pani  Walewska  took  no  part  in  the  discussion,  and  behaved  as 
if  it  were  not  she  about  whom  they  were  talking,  and  not  she 
for  whom  they  were  planning  all  those  splendours. 

During  this  deliberation  the  Grand  Marshal  Duroc  was 
announced. 

The  Chamberlain  appeared  in  no  haste  to  meet  his  guest. 

The  Princess  could  not  conceal  her  astonishment. 

"  Duroc  here  ?  " 

"  Phi !  Yesterday  M.  de  Perigord  came,  to-day  Duroc  .  .  . 
they  bother  me,"  said  the  Chamberlain,  and  went  out. 

The  Princess  turned  her  small,  penetrating  eyes  upon  Pani 
Walewska. 

"  Cheńe  !"  I  admire  you.  ...  I  did  not  think  that  you  were 
so  clever.  My  dear,  do  not  contradict  me,  you  are  awfully 
clever.  Yesterday,  I  must  tell  you  frankly,  I  was  afraid  for  you. 
Anastazy  was  in  a  very  bad  temper.  You  understand.  .  .  . 
Men  are  all  alike.  .  .  .  When  I  left  him  I  was  not  certain 
whether  he  would  be  angry  with  you  or  not.  ...  I  have  no 
words  for  your  cleverness  ...  it  does  you  lionour.   ..." 

"  I  do  not  understand  the  admiration  which  you  are  kind 
enough  to  bestow  upon  me." 

The  Princess  laughed  and  threatened  her  jokingly  with  her 
finger. 

"  How  cunning  you  are !  .  .  .  I  should  be  offended  with  you 
for  your  lack  of  sincerity,  but  I  prefer  to  forgive  you.  Only  be 
careful  .  .  .  and  who  knows  ...  I  knew  Madame  Grabowska  ; 
nobody  thought  that  she  would  become  so  great.  ...  I  see  it 
irritates  you,  so  I  will  not  say  anything  more.     Only  be  careful 

.  .  be  careful.  .  .  ." 


66  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska's  eyes  filled  with  tears. 

The  Princess  did  not  notice  it.  She  vowed  several  times  that 
she  had  the  best  intentions  towards  her  sister-in-law ;  she 
promised  to  go  at  once  and  order  frocks  for  her ;  and  after  most 
tender  demonstrations  she  went  away. 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  freely  when  the  Princess  had  gone. 
She  understood  the  meaning  of  her  insinuations^  and  this 
aroused  her  pride.  They  took  her  to  be  a  flirt ;  they  suspected 
her  of  some  improper  plans  at  a  jump,  a  supposition  not  justified 
at  all;  they  were  building  a  whole  structure  of  mere  conjecture. 

Pani  Walewska  recollected  her  bouquet^  Duroc's  visit,  and  she 
became  frightened  of  the  people,  of  the  Princess's  mjsterious 
smiles,  of  Anetka  Potocka's  ironical  laughter  with  which  she 
had  greeted  her  at  that  never-to-be-forgotten  ball. 

A  sense  of  darkness  surrounded  her ;  some  mysterious  con- 
sciousness of  peril  aroused  in  her  a  sad  presentiment. 

Several  times  she  tried  to  persuade  herself  that  her  fears 
v.-ere  groundless,  merely  arising  out  of  insignificant  facts  which 
only  she  would  have  dreamed  of  connecting ;  that  she  ex- 
aggerated her  OAvn  importance.  But  all  these  arguments,  by 
means  of  which  Pani  Walewska  tried  to  quiet  herself,  did  not 
conWnce  her.  An  inward  voice  told  her  that  she  must  tell  her 
husband  of  everything  that  frightened  her. 

She  did  not  know  what  and  how  she  should  tell  him,  but 
nevertheless  such  a  confession  seemed  to  her  necessary.  At  the 
moment  of  coming  to  that  conclusion  her  husband's  voice  inter- 
rupted her  thoughts. 

The  Chamberlain  for  the  second  time  repeated  :  "  Pi'ay,  come 
for  a  minute !  .  .  .  Duroc  begged  me  earnestly  to  honour  him 
with  an  introduction  to  you." 

"Duroc?" 

'^You  are  absent-minded  .  .  .  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the 
Court  ...  do  not  linger ;  yoii  must  not  keep  him  waiting  too 
long.  He  is  veiy  .  .  I  never  expected  that  he  would  have 
such  good  manners.  A  ver}'  })olite  fellow.  .  .  .  We  must  appre- 
ciate his  politeness." 

"  Another  time.  .  .      I  am  not  dressed  to  receive  callers." 

The  Chamberlain  smiled  contemptuously. 

"  You  must  not  be  too  particular ;   a  little  nćgligć  is  fashion- 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  67 

able.  Then  he  must  know  that  Madame  Colonna  Walewska 
does  not  consider  that  such  a  visitor  does  her  any  particular 
honour.  .  .   .  Come  !  " 

"I  have  a  headache.  ...  I  took  cold!"  said  the  Chamber- 
lain's wife^  defending  herself. 

He  began  to  get  angry. 

"  Silly  fancies  !  Headache  !  You  must  master  yourself,  or 
you  will  not  be  able  to  make  one  step  at  Court.  Good  manners 
should  dominate  everything.  I  remember  well  once  in  the 
Łazienki  Palace  I  h.ad  a  terrific  toothache,  and  the  King  began 
to  tell  some  amusing  stories ;  everybody  laughed,  therefore  I 
was  obliged  to  laugh  also,  although  I  had  tears  in  my  eyes  from 
pain.     Well,  come  along ;  he  has  already  waited  too  long." 

The  Chamberlain  took  her  by  the  arm  and  conducted  her  to 
the  drawing-room. 

Pani  Walewska  was  prepared  with  a  proud  answer,  such  as 
would  quench  every  smile  and  stop  every  word  of  refined  in- 
sinuation, and  she  followed,  listening  to  the  throbbing  of  her 
heart  as  she  walked. 

"  Duroc,  Prince  of  Friul,  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court  of  His 
Imperial  Majesty  !  "  resounded  suddenly  in  Pani  Walewska' s 
ears. 

She  raised  her  eyes  hesitatingly,  and  was  thunderstruck  with 
surprise,  for  bowing  in  front  of  her  stood  the  same  general  who, 
at  Jabłonna,  helped  her  in  such  a  ready  way  to  her  never-to-be- 
forgotten  conversation  with  the  Emperor. 

Duroc  bowed  elegantly  to  Pani  Walewska,  and  greeted  her 
with  a  graceful  compliment. 

Pani  W^alewska  nodded  slightly,  and,  with  a  sense  of  fright, 
looked  round  her  as  if  to  find  a  place  in  which  she  might  hide. 

The  Grand  Marshal,  not  receiving  any  answer,  made  a  further 
remark. 

But  Pani  Walewska  was  able  to  make  no  reply  this  time  either. 

The  Chamberlain  could  hardly  conceal  the  irritation  aroused 
by  his  wife's  country  manners,  and  trying  to  break  the  em- 
barrassing silence,  said  himself :  "  You  must  be  indulgent  .  .  . 
my  wife  is  not  well." 

"  I  am  so  sorry  I  dared  to  trouble  you,  Madame,  with  my 
ardent  wish  to  pay  my  respects  to  you." 


68  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  Take  a  seat,"  said  Pani  Walewska,  making  an  effort. 

Duroc  sat  opposite  to  her,  wliile  the  Chamberlain  stood 
behind  his  wife's  chair,  and  rapped  upon  his  snuff-box. 

"  I  should  not  have  dared  to  importune  jou,  Madame,  if  it 
were  not  to  perform  the  agreeable  duty  of  begging  you  to  grace 
the  presentation  ball  with  your  presence." 

"  I  do  not  know  ..." 

"  Naturally  !  "  said  the  Chamberlain  with  animation,  not  pei'- 
mitting  his  wife  to  finish  ;  "we  will  try  not  to  disappoint." 

"His  Majesty  the  Emperor,  when  I  M'as  fortunate  enough  to 
submit  the  list  of  those  who  are  to  be  invited,  told  me  twice  to 
make  sure  of  your  presence." 

The  Chamberlain  cleared  his  throat,  and  having  touched  the 
star  of  his  Order,  said  politely :  "  We  are  very  much  obliged 
that  he  should  do  us  the  honour  of  remembering  us." 

"After  so  many  months  of  war,"  said  Duroc  graciously,  "we 
are  longing  not  only  for  such  agreeable  society  as  yours,  but 
also  for  a  serious  conversation.  Life  gives  us  very  few  pleasant 
moments.  It  is  true  that  there  are  times  when,  during  the 
uproar  of  war,  somewhere  in  a  forlorn  halting-place  there  passes 
before  us  some  charming  vision,  some  good-hearted  enchantress 
who  brings  us  momentary  intoxication.  .  .  .  But  such  appari- 
tions disappear  quickly ;  then  it  is  no  wonder  that  in  a  spare 
moment  we  revert  to  them,  we  follow  them  with  all  our 
thoughts,  we  long  for  them  with  all  our  souls.   .   .  ." 

At  this  unexpected  turn  of  the  conversation  the  Chamberlain 
cleared  his  throat,  nodded  gravely  like  a  statesman,  although 
he  was  not  certain  if  the  Grand  Marshal  was  not  making  an 
allusion  to  the  alliance  with  Turkey. 

As  for  Pani  Walewska,  she  bent  still  more  forward,  avoiding 
the  Marshal's  looks. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Duroc  passed  to  the  last  military  and 
political  events,  and,  like  an  accomplished  courtier,  glided  over 
the  surface  of  known  affairs.  He  did  not  betray  any  secret ; 
he  did  not  throw  any  new  light ;  and,  talking  much,  he  did  not 
commit  himself  in  anything. 

Only  when  he  passed  to  the  last  victory  at  Pułtusk  and 
mentioned  the  return  to  Warsaw,  he  suddenly  changed  his 
tone,  and  said  with  sincere  enthusiasm  :  "  Yesterday  was  one  of 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  69 

the  most  beautiful  days  in  His  Majesty's  life.  .  .  .  Heaven  and 
earth  made  an  effort  to  show  him  the  winter's  charm  in  all  its 
splendour.  I  do  not  remember  the  Emperor  so  happy !  The 
reception  at  Jabłonna  left  in  his  heart  indelible  traces." 

"I  did  not  know  anything  about  it/'  said  the  Chamberlain. 

"  You  must  not  take  my  words  too  literally.  If  there  had 
been  triumphal  arches^  garlands^  fireworks,  it  would  not  have 
made  any  impression.  .  .  .  The  man  under  whose  feet  flowers 
have  been  thrown  so  many  times,  for  Avhom  they  burn  torches, 
requires  something  else  than  commonplace  homage ;  for  such 
a  one  the  most  splendid  receptions  are  nothing.  ...  It  was 
quite  different  in  Jabłonna !  There  it  was  merely  a  spontaneous 
movement  of  a  heart;  there  he  was  welcomed  by  a  look  full 
of  confidence,  enthusiasm,  and  faith.  .  .  .  And  one  such  look 
suffices  for  millions." 

"Certainly,  certainly,"  approved  the  Chamberlain  with  dignity. 

Pani  WalcAvska  trembled  from  emotion. 

Duroc  suddenly  changed  the  subject  of  conversation,  and, 
having  turned  to  Pani  Walewska,  asked  suddenly :  "  Do  you 
like  flowers.''" 

Pani  Walewska  shivered,  but,  feeling  that  the  Marshal  was 
looking  at  her  inquisitively,  answered  with  an  effort :  "  Yes,  but 
not  in  a  bouquet." 

''^By  this  question  I  wish  to  beg  your  forgiveness  for  my 
daring  deed  of  yesterday.  Ignorant  of  Polish  customs,  I  am 
afraid  I  have  done  something  improper.  But  I  think  that  the 
flowers  are  only  a  homage." 

"  The  flowers  alone.  .  .  .  Yes." 

"  In  our  country  it  is  sometimes  allowed  to  make  them  speak." 

"  In  our  country  not  everybody  has  the  right  to  listen  to  them." 

"  But  one  can  accept  them  always.  Do  you  like  lilies  of  the 
valley  ?  I  am  not  very  fond  of  them,  but  for  the  Emperor  there 
are  no  more  beautiful  flowers  .  .  .  uniting  delicacy  with  strong 
perfume ;  they  personify  simplicity ;  they  soothe  by  their 
aroma.   .   .   ." 

"  And  they  try  to  intoxicate.  ..." 

"  You  consider  that  an  offence .?  .  .  .  Is  our  life,  or  rather 
certain  moments  of  life,  not  an  intoxication  } " 

"Not  for  everyone." 


70  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  But  the  lily  of  the  valley  contains  so  much  sincerity.  Is 
it  proper  to  push  it  away  ?  Its  perfume  brings  all  its  existence, 
with  its  exhalation  it  sacrifices  a  part  of  its  life." 

"  If  the  lily  of  the  valley  symbolises  so  many  noble  senti- 
ments,, it  cannot  be  at  the  same  time  the  sign  of  playing — 
there  where  flov.-s  its  perfume,  there  must  follow  respect  .  .  . 
there  is  no  room  for  licence.  .  .  ." 

"Such  is  also  my  opinion/'  concluded  Duroc,  and  rose. 

The  Grand  Marshal  repeated  the  invitation,  said  something 
about  the  presentation  at  the  Castle,  and  after  a  few  compli- 
ments, agreeably  tickling  the  Chamberlain's  vanity,  he  went 
away. 

The  Chamberlain  was  very  pleased,  so  much  so,  that  he  did 
not  notice  his  wife's  confusion,  and  esteemed  it  proper  to  share 
his  thoughts  with  her. 

"  Do  you  see  .  .  .  yesterday  you  doubted  .  .  .  to-day  you  have 
a  proof  .  .  .  they  cringe,  they  try  to  win  us  to  them.  .  .  .  V^ery 
well  then.  ...  I  have  no  objection,  only  they  must  not  think 
that  I  shall  accept  all  their  conditions.  No,  I  sliall  not  be  a 
fool.  I  sliall  not  be  satisfied  with  a  paltry  oflice.  Duroc  is 
quite  a  polished  man.  .  .  .  Nobody  could  guess  that  he  is  of 
such  low  extraction.  Your  conversation  about  the  lily  of  the 
valley  was  very  clever  .  .   .  very  clever  indeed." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  husband  hesitatingly.  "  Then 
you  know .'' " 

"  Certainly !  I  had  enough  time  to  understand  those  half 
words  ....  Through  you  they  would  like  to  approach  me.  In 
the  beginning  you  seemed  to  be  embarrassed,  but  afterwards 
it  was  capital !  The  Frenchman  did  not  know  what  to  answer ! 
That  is  the  best  way  with  thein.   .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  freely. 

"Therefore  I  think  the  best  for  us  would  be  to  return  to 
Walewice." 

The  Chamberlain,  who  had  just  then  risen  on  tiptoe,  hearing 
that,  shuddered  so  that  he  nearly  fell. 

"What.''  .  .  .what.''    Return  to  Walewice  !    You  are  joking  !  " 

''Of  course  not,  as,  in  face  of  such  a  situation,  it  is  out  of 
the  question  that  I  should  go  to  the  reception.  The  Princess- 
sister      .  ." 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  71 

"  Why  out  of  the  question  ?  The  Princess  .  .  .  she  told  you 
idle  stories,  that  is  all.  All  are  jealous.  .  .  .  You  must  do  as 
I  ask  you  to  do.  .  .   ." 

"  You  cannot  complain  .  .  .  but  if  you  wish  to  remain,  permit 
me  .  .  ." 

"  I  shall  not !  New  fancies.  .  .  .  Yes,  I  know,  you  wish  to 
contradict  me.  When  I  wished  to  stay  in  Walewice,  you  wished 
to  come  to  Warsaw  ;  only  yesterday  you  did  not  like  my  idea 
of  going  back.  To-day  you  dislike  town,  and  all  that  you  do 
to  thwart  me,  to  act  according  to  your  own  will.   .  .  ." 

"You  are  unjust!  I  cannot  interpret  their  kindness  difterently 
from  its  meaning.  I  wish  to  return ;  I  defend  not  only  myself 
but  your  name  also." 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  his  wife  inquisitively,  for  he  did 
not  understand  at  the  first  moment  the  meaning  of  her  words ; 
only  after  a  while  of  thinking  his  face  brightened  up.  He  burst 
out  with  hearty  laughter. 

"  Then  you  imagine  that  they  cringe  to  you.  .  .  .  Ha !  ha ! 
ha !  You  are  all  the  same.  You  lack  penetration,  a  broader 
way  of  looking  at  things.  All  of  you  see  the  mirror  and 
yourself  in  it.  .  .  .  Ha !  ha !  ha !  Only  now  I  understand. 
You  are  all  alike,  for  the  Princess,  too,  drew  different  con- 
clusions in  regard  to  herself  from  M.  de  Perigord's  friendliness 
towards  her.  .  .  .  And  you  are  already  frightened  about  your- 
self. I  admire  your  modesty,  but  Duroc  is  not  like  Gorayski. 
I  do  not  deny  that  you  can  be  queen  of  every  ball,  but  you 
must  not  be  afraid  of  homage,  for  you  are  at  the  side  of 
Colonna  Walewski !     What  an  amusing  joke  !  " 

The  Chamberlain's  assurance  passed  to  Pani  Walewska.  To 
be  sure,  from  his  point  of  view,  all  facts  looked  diff"erently. 

It  was  possible  that  the  unexpected  conversation  at  the  door 
of  the  carriage  was  due  to  the  name  of  '"Walewska" ;  perchance 
that  meeting  furnished  opportunity  to  gain  the  husband  through 
the  wife. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  husband  and  again  doubted. 
For  Avhat  purpose  would  they  need  such  a  man,  who,  notwith- 
standing his  boasting,  was  simply  a  rich  nobleman,  but  had  not 
great  influence,  was  not  popular,  and  had  no  capacity  whatever 
.  .  .  and  who,  by  the  utmost  efforts  of  will,  defended  himself 


72  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

from  impotency.  Should  she  not  be  able  to  appreciate  her 
husband  at  his  worth  ?  And  perhaps  they  are  mistaken, 
perhaps  they  were  overawed  by  his  riches  and  the  name  of 
Walewski  ? 

But  then^  what  was  the  meaning  of  Duroc's  strange  allusions  ? 

Pani  Walewska  once  more  repeated  her  desire  to  go  to 
Walewice,  and  was  ready  to  tell  her  husband  about  her  secret ; 
but  being  rebuked  by  his  boasting,  ridiculed  at  every  point, 
accused  of  ignorance  of  a  great  political  game,  became  silent, 
for  she  understood  that  from  that  quarter  she  could  expect 
neither  advice  nor  protection. 

The  few  following  days  seemed  to  prove  that  the  Chamberlain 
was  right. 

He  paid  visits  to  M.  de  Perigord  and  Marshal  Duroc ;  he 
was  present  at  the  audience  with  the  Emperor ;  he  received 
Murat's  and  Prince  Borghese's  invitations;  he  was  invited  to  two 
military  reviews  held  at  Saski  Square,  and,  according  to  his 
ideas,  was  convinced  that  he  would  have  a  splendid  career, 
although  he  himself  did  not  understand  what  it  would  be. 

In  the  meanwhile.  Pani  Walewska  was  the  prey  of  Joubert's 
art  and  the  Princess-sister's  invention.  In  vain  she  wished  to 
be  satisfied  with  one  frock.  The  Princess  insisted  upon  having 
five  of  them,  the  Chamberlain  added  a  sixth,  giving  as  a  pretext 
the  presence  of  a  Persian  ambassador,  who  was  expected  every 
day. 

It  was  more  difficult,  however,  to  choose  from  the  six  frocks 
the  one  in  which  Pani  Walewska  was  to  go  to  the  Castle.  The 
task  was  a  difficult  one,  much  more  so  that  the  Princess  had 
exact  information  about  splendid  dresses  prepared  by  the  two 
Countesses  Potocki ;  by  Mmes.  Sobolewska  and  Gutakowska,  and 
by  the  Countesses  Lubieńska  and  Krasińska.  The  Chamberlain 
favoured  a  green  frock  with  silver  embroideries ;  the  Princess 
prefen-ed  pale  blue  with  gold  stars.  The  Princess's  opinion 
prevailed  for  this  reason,  that  it  seemed  Pani  Wojczynska  was 
going  to  have  a  green  frock  with  silver  designs  on  it. 

Amidst  all  these  preparations  Pani  Walewska  spent  a  few 
relatively  quiet  days. 

The  Princess  smiled  to  her  significantly,  but  never  mentioned 
the  meeting  in  Jabłonna,  nor  made  any  of  her  suppositions. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  73 

Then  Pani  Walewska  cleverly  pretended  not  to  be  well,  and 
thus  she  had  a  good  excuse  for  not  making  calls. 

The  Chamberlain  was  irritated  at  this ;  accused  his  wife  of 
fancies ;  but  being  very  much  preoccupied  with  his  expectations, 
had  no  time  to  show  his  energy,  for  either  he  was  dressing  and 
curing  himself  in  order  to  be  strong  enough  to  support  the 
fatigue  of  the  reunions,  or  went  from  one  to  another  of  the  "  at 
homes." 

And  the  reunions,  calls,  balls,  teas  were  increasing  from  day 
to  day.  The  road  leading  to  Warsaw  was  still  crowded  with 
carriages  bringing  whole  famihes  from  the  most  remote  corners 
of  the  country,  for  all  the  noblemen  were  anxious  to  look  at 
Napoleon's  splendour,  or  perhaps  they  were  anxious  to  find  a 
new  field  for  their  activity,  to  which  all  the  roads  were  closed 
during  the  Prussian  government. 

Therefore  in  Warsaw  people  were  meeting  every  day  who  had 
not  seen  each  other  for  a  long  time,  having  been  separated  by 
the  same  fear,  by  the  same  egotism. 

The  Chamberlain  met  a  great  many  people.  There  was  not 
a  day  in  which  he  would  not  recognise  in  a  decrepit  old  man, 
in  some  withered  lady,  in  a  sour  old  maid,  in  an  old  bachelor 
spoilt  by  life,  a  boon  companion,  a  famous  madcap,  a  conqueror 
of  ladies,  a  famous  beauty,  a  sweet  girl  .  .  .  and  they  all  came 
to  Warsaw  to  be  Avarmed  in  Napoleon's  blazing  sun. 

The  Chamberlain  was  sometimes  surprised,  for,  as  under  the 
touch  of  an  enchanted  wand,  there  came  forth  the  ghosts  of 
the  past,  talking  about  their  orders,  titles,  and  privileges  as  if 
the  Polish  king,  and  not  Napoleon,  were  still  in  the  Castle. 

The  Chamberlain  Avas  astonished  still  more,  for  he  found  all 
those  Avhom  he  met  were  extremely  old,  while  he  was  looking 
so  remarkably  well,  the  proof  of  wiiich  he  had  when  he  was 
looking  in  a  mirror.  The  Chamberlain  understood  then  how 
much  he  was  obliged  for  this  to  Baptiste,  and  he  showed  him 
his  gratitude  by  frequent  presents.  But  when  at  the  Princess's 
"at  home"  a  certain  nobleman  in  a  Avell-turned  compliment 
expressed  his  admiration  for  the  men  of  the  old  school,  who,  by 
moderation,  had  preserved  their  strength,  and  therefore  were 
able  to  reach  old  age,  the  Chamberlain  at  last  believed  in  the 
moderation   of  his   past  life,  and  began   to  set  himself  as  an 


74  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

example  to  the  young  people.  In  that  way  the  Chamberlain 
slowly  gained  some  consideration^  for  fortunately  for  him  he  did 
not  meet  Avith  those  who  knew  his  cuniculum  vita'. 

Bolesha  alone,  listening  sometimes  to  the  Chamberlain's 
boasting,  laughed  ironically,  thus  raising  some  doubts. 

The  Chamberlain,  however,  every  day  grew  more  and  more 
assured  of  his  desei-ts,  and  as  he  found  that  such  an  assurance 
was  becoming  to  him,  and  that  the  people  respected  him  more 
than  they  did  before,  he  detei'mined  to  adopt  this  method  for 
the  future. 

And  the  Chamberlain  could  say  to  himself,  that  if  at  the 
Princess's  reception,  on  New  Year's  Eve,  they  paid  but  very 
little  attention  to  him,  now  they  were  all  endeavouring  to  make 
him  forget  that  slight. 

M.  de  Talleyrand,  when  he  met  the  Chamberlain,  very  often 
asked  his  advice.  Duroc  was  exquisitely  polite  to  him ;  even 
the  proud  Murat  conversed  with  him  several  times.  The 
deference  shown  to  the  Chamberlain  by  the  French  dignitaries 
had  an  immediate  effect — Warsaw  society  transferred  its  regards 
to  his  son  and  his  grandsons. 

The  Chamberlain  became  so  sure  of  himself  noAv,  that  when 
at  the  Princess  Dominik  Radziwii's  they  discussed  eagerly  who 
would  finally  be  invited  to  the  Emperor's  dravv'ing-rooms,  the 
Chamberlain  said,  with  a  contemptuous  smile,  that  Duroc  had 
come  three  times  with  an  invitation,  that  the  Emperor  himself 
asked  about  him,  but  that  he,  the  Chamberlain,  could  not  promise 
to  go,  for  he  was  afraid  that  the  society  would  be  too  mixed. 

This  made  a  great  impression  ;  all  were  astonished  at  the 
Chamberlain's  daring,  and  they  seemed  to  be  still  more  assured 
of  his  impoi'tance. 

In  the  meantime  the  day  of  the  fir.-,t  ball  came. 

The  Chamberlain,  having  remained  in  bed  much  longer  tlian 
usual  in  order  to  gather  his  stienglh,  went  to  his  wife's  ajiart- 
ment  towards  noon.  But  here  he  learned  to  his  great  fright 
that  Pani  Walewska  was  more  ill  than  ever. 

The  Chamberlain  went  straight  to  her  bedroom.  Pani 
Walewska  was  lying  on  the  sofa,  covered  carefully. 

*^  What  is  the  matter  with  you  }  " 

"  I  have  a  worse  cold  than  ever." 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  75 

''  I  will  send  for  a  physician  .  .  he  must  cure  you  ...  we 
have  not  much  time." 

"I  do  not  understand  you." 

"  Have  you  forgotten  that  to-day  is  the  ball  at  the  Castle } " 
burst  out  the  Chamberlain. 

"  Then  what  ?     I  am  not  going — you  see  for  yourself." 

"  But  this  is  only  your  fancy  .  ,  a  cold  !  The  physician 
will  cure  you.  Court  ball !  If  we  could  only  show  ourselves 
there  for  a  few  minutes  !  Otherwise  they  will  say  that  we  were 
not  invited.  Take  example  from  me !  I  remember  once  at  a 
dinner  with  our  late  king  I  had  a  toothache,  when  the  king 
began  to  tell  some  of  his  stories ;  all  laughed,  therefore  I  was 
obliged  to  laugh  also — although  I  was  near  crying.  And  the 
king  looked  at  me  graciously,  and  said  :  '  Walewski,  do  you 
enjoy  my  story  ?  '     Do  you  understand  ?  " 

"  Yes,  you  have  told  me  several  times  already." 

The  Chamberlain  was  offended. 

"  Then  I  repeat  it  again.  I  am  sending  for  a  physician.  He 
must  cure  you,  and  you  must  make  an  effort." 

Pani  Walewska  shook  her  head.     "  No,  no  ;  I  cannot." 

The  Chamberlain  put  his  eyeglass  to  his  eye,  looked  for  a 
while  at  his  wife's  lovely  face,  and  said  with  conviction  :  "  I 
find  you  beautiful !  You  are  looking  veiy  interesting  indeed. 
The  physician  will  strengthen  you,  and  we  will  go." 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  negative  movement ;  the  Chamberlain 
continued  :  "  Do  this  for  me,  otherwise  they  will  slander  us ; 
then  Duroc  has  invited  us  so  many  times.  This  is  not  a  question 
of  an  ordinary  ball ;  affairs  of  great  importance  might  be 
discussed." 

''  But  why  am  I  needed  there  ?  " 

''  What  a  question !  Can  you  not  understand  that  a  wife  is 
the  right  hand  in  Court  life.  Every  statesman  must  have  a  wife 
able  to  be  his  al/er  ego,  his  ally." 

Pani  Walewska  seemed  not  to  share  her  husband's  opinion. 
The  Chamberlain  became  irritated. 

He  ordered  a  footman  to  go  at  once  and  bring  the  most 
famous  physician,  by  name  Dederka,  who  came  soon,  had  a  long 
consultation  with  Pani  Walewska,  then  came  embarrassed  to 
the  Chamberlain  and  shook  his  head  helplessly. 


76  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

"What,  then  ?  "  inquired  the  Chamberlain,  alarmed. 

"  Bad,"  decided  the  physician. 

"But  what  .  .   ." 

"  Bad,  my  dear  sir  ;  a  woman,  willingly  givmg  up  a  ball, 
despising  an  opportunity  to  show  her  frock,  a  woman  who  does 
not  care  to  be  coquettish,  and  who  prefers  a  rest  instead  of 
society  ...  it  is  bad." 

"But  it  seems  you  do  not  understand.  .  .  .  Precisely  the 
question  is  to  strengthen  her  for  a  couple  of  hours,  that  she 
may  be  presented  .  .  .  then  she  can  return." 

"H'm  !  H'm  !  It  is  impossible.  I  am  afraid  it  is  melancholia, 
and  in  that  case  I  cannot  even  bleed  her,  for  the  cause  of 
melancholy  might  be  either  too  much  or  too  little  blood. 
Suppose  it  is  too  little  .''  " 

"Then  what.'' " 

"Nothing;  she  must  take  some  cooling  drink,  some  salts,  and 
we  must  wait  until  the  illness  becomes  more  accentuated ;  then 
we  shall  jump  at  it,  we  shall  attack  it  from  every  point,  and  we 
will  cure  the  lady." 

"  But  I  wanted  .  .  ." 

"  I  know,"  interrupted  the  physician  slowly.  "  Science  docs 
not  permit  me  to  act  otherwise.  A  woman  despising  society, 
such  a  case  is  helpless ;  one  can  expect  anything  bad." 

"You  do  not  know  my  wife." 

"  Impressionable,  delicate.   .   .  ." 

"  You  are  singing  quite  a  different  song." 

"Yes,  but  our  aim  is  the  same  .  .  .  impossible,  she  must 
stay  at  home.  .  .  ." 

That  positive  decision  shook  the  Chamberlain's  determination. 
He  went  once  more  to  his  vv^ife,  explained  the  whole  situation 
to  her,  spoke  much  about  the  duties  of  people  occupying  exalted 
positions ;  finally,  having  met  with  unsliakable  opposition,  deter- 
mined to  save  the  situation  by  himself,  and  began  to  dress. 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  freely.  At  last  she  was  doing  as 
she  wished ;  she  had  conquered  all  obstacles  and  avoided  the 
Court. 

But  when  a  few  hours  later  the  chambermaid  told  her  that 
the  Chamberlain  had  gone  to  the  Castle,  she  began  to  doubt 
whether  she  was  right,  whether  she  did  nut  take  too  seriously 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  77 

all  those  civilities,  whether  for  an  imaginery  peril  she  had  not 
deprived  herself  of  the  opportunity  of  seeing  a  great  conqueror 
in  the  majesty  of  his  power,  whether  her  behaviour  did  not 
look  like  cowardice.  She  ought  to  have  found  in  herself  enough 
strength  to  face  the  danger ;  it  depended  on  her  behaviour,  on 
her  answer,  to  turn  away  the  desire  of  familiarity,  should  such 
a  desire  be  manifested. 

Pani  Walewska's  lively  imagination  spun  out  further  and 
further  the  thread  of  her  thoughts.  Of  what  was  she  afraid .'' 
Should  she  not  meet  even  him  boldly  and  tell  him,  should  it 
come  to  this:  "Sire,  all  your  Majesty  was  kind  enough  to  tell 
me,  I  receive  as  the  words  of  a  hero,  who  is  fond  of  joking, 
when  it  pleases  him." 

It  would  have  been  much  better  than  this  fright,  it  would 
put  a  stop  to  all  the  Princess's  insinuations.  Acting  as  she  did, 
she  put  herself  in  a  difficult  position  .  .  .  who  knows  if  she  had 
not  become  ridiculous. 

Perhaps  all  these  civilities  were  only  an  innocent  foolishness. 
Had  she  not  known  many  Frenchmen  before.''  How  many  of 
them  had  told  her  about  their  love  for  her,  but  having  been 
rebuked,  had  repeated  the  same  words  of  love  during  the  same 
evening  to  some  other  woman  !  Even  that  Count  Herceau,  he 
was  hardly  introduced  to  her,  and  immediately  he  attempted  to 
say,  like  Caesar,  Vici  ! 

Pani  Walewska  was  not  satisfied  with  herself — the  quiet 
surroundings  irritated  her.  She  took  some  French  novel  and 
turned  over  its  pages,  following  in  her  mind  the  same  thought. 
Sometimes  she  thought  of  pale,  thoughtful  Gorayski ;  and  then 
she  came  to  a  strange  conviction,  that  in  case  of  need  he  would 
defend  her. 

Pani  Walewska's  solitude  was  interrupted  by  a  lackey.  She 
looked  at  him  surprised. 

"  M.  de  Corvisart,  personal  physician  of  his  Majesty  the 
Emperor  of  the  French,"  he  announced. 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  believe  her  own  ears. 

"  M.  de  Corvisart  ?     What  did  you  say  to  him  }  " 

"  That  her  ladyship  is  ill !  But  he  begged  to  be  received  ;  he 
says  that  my  lord  knows  about  his  visit." 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  know  how  to  answer,  only  after  a  few 


78  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

moments  of  reflection  came  to  the  conclusion  that  M.  de 
Corvisart's  visit  must  be  attributed  to  her  husband's  solicitude, 
and  she  determined  to  receive  such  a  late  visitor. 

The  Emjieror's  physician,  introduced  by  Baptiste  to  the 
adjoining  boudoir,  saluted  Pani  Walewska  respectfully. 

"  Madame,  pray  excuse  me  !  I  would  not  dare  to  trouble  you 
if  not  for  the  duty  of  my  vocation." 

Pani  Walewska  glanced  hesitatingly  at  M.  de  Corvisart's 
?ichly  embroidered  Court  dress,  and  said,  embarrassed  :  "I  do 
not  know  to  what  to  attribute  your  kindness.  If  I  am  not  mis- 
taken you  come  from  the  Castle  ?  " 

"  Yes,  from  the  Emperor's  ball." 

"  You  should  not  deprive  yourself  of  the  pleasure." 

"But  you  are  suffering?  " 

"  Ah,  yes,  but  it  is  a  suffering — pray  excuse  my  frankness — 
for  which  time  is  the  best  phj'sician." 

"  It  is  our  duty  to  make  that  time  as  short  as  possible." 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  have  an  opj.ortunity  to  make  your 
acquaintance,  for  I  have  heard  much  of  your  cleverness." 

M.  de  Corvisart  bowed,  and  looking  attentively  at  Pani 
Walewska,  asked  abruptly — 

"  Can  I  know  what  is  your  suffering  t  " 

"But  .  .  ." 

"  I  am  a  physician,  consequently  like  a  confessor  .  .  .  one 
must  be  perfectly  frank  with  me.  Have  you  any  fever .''  In 
such  a  climate  ..." 

"  But  you  see  of  yourself  that  I  do  not  give  in,  I  do  not  com- 
plain. ...  I  have  a  headache,  general  feebleness  .  .  .  which  is 
not  so  alarming  as  to  allow  me  to  call  m^'self  ill,  but  it  is 
sufficient  to  force  me  to  give  up  such  a  brilliant  ball !  Then 
I  think  my  husband  exaggerated  a  little,  and  troubled  you  un- 
necessarily." 

"  You  are  mistaken.  I  heard  him  talking  about  your  illness 
with  the  Emperor,  and  I  came  here  in  my  character  of  physician 
of  the  Court  of  his  Majesty.  I  was  ordered  to  take  care  of 
you,  and  to  report  immediately.  May  I  add  that,  although 
it  seemed  to  me  very  unpleasant  to  be  sent  from  the  ball,  I  am 
now  grateful  for  much  more.  I  never  had  such  a  beautiful 
patient." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  79 

Under  the  influence  of  M.  de  Corvisart's  words  Pani  Walewska 
blushed,  her  hps  trembled. 

Corvisart  came  nearer  to  her,  and  said  in  a  subdued  voice — 

"  You  must  be  frank  with  me  !  Pray  be  frank  !  I  am  ready 
to  use  all  my  knowledge,  and  not  to  allow  even  one  shiver  of 
pain  to  appear  on  your  face." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  the  Court  physician  and  said  with 
detennination — 

"  You  ask  me  to  be  frank  with  you.     Well,  I  am  not  ill." 

Corvisart  looked  at  her  astonished. 

"  You  mean  that  you  are  better  just  now." 

"  No,  I  am  not  ill  at  all.  I  could  not  come  to  the  ball  for 
reasons  .  .  .  which  I  could  not  declare.  I  appeal  to  your  pro- 
fessional honour — I  told  the  truth  to  the  physician." 

Pani  Walewska  became  silent  and  dropped  her  eyes ;  on  her 
long  silky  eyelashes  glistened  a  tear. 

Corvisart  said  quietly  :  "  You  confirmed  my  supposition,  al- 
though your  husband  spoke  so  much  about  your  illness." 

"  I  led  him  into  the  error." 

"  Now  I  do  not  understand  what  to  think.  Then  it  was  not 
the  Chamberlain  wl  o  was  the  cause  of  your  pretending  .   .   .  ?" 

Pani  Walewska  rose  from  her  sofa  and  said  :  "  Notv/ithstanding 
all  the  respect  I  have  for  you,  I  shall  not  answer  any  more  of 
your  questions." 

Corvisart  rose  with  marked  displeasure,  and  said  drily :  "  I  am 
sorry !  I  thought  I  was  on  the  way  to  discover  the  real  suffer- 
ing, which  has  nothing  in  common  with  the  body." 

"  So  much  the  better,  then,  if  it  remains  undiscovered." 

"  I  doubt  it !  I  have  no  claim  upon  your  confidence,  and  I 
know  how  to  be  grateful  for  that  which  you  were  kind  enough 
to  show  me.  I,  in  my  capacity  of  Court  physician  of  his 
Majesty,  shall  have  the  honour  to  state  that  you  feel  weak,  and 
have  also  a  slight  cold  and  require  absolute  rest.  In  the  mean- 
while, 1  will  not  forget  the  gratitude  which  you  expressed  for 
the  Emperor's  care  and  solicitude.  .  .   .  Am  I  mistaken  }  " 

Pani  Walewska  put  out  her  hand  to  the  physician. 

"  I  thank  you  heartily." 

"  Corvisart  is  not  hard-hearted  at  all.  The  second  ausculta- 
tion, if  it  is  required,  will  come  easier." 


80  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  would  like  to  show  you  my  gratitude." 

Corvisart  shook  his  head. 

"  You  can  do  it  only  by  showing  your  confidence  in  me.  You 
must  not  be  surprised  at  my  sincerity.  I  came  here  without 
any  malicious  thought —  I  go  out  with  admiration.  I  know  the 
Court,  I  know  the  people.  Every  day  I  see  the  wounds  that  do 
r.ot  bleed.  They  told  me  so  much  about  you.  I  did  not  believe 
them ;  to-day  I  am  convinced.  The  most  agreeable  moment  I 
shall  cherish  of  to-day's  ball  will  be  the  conversation  with  you." 

Corvisart  bowed,  and  was  going. 

"  One  word  more  !  "  said  Pani  unexpectedly. 

"  I  am  at  your  command." 

"  If  you  will  avoid  mentioning  my  gratitude  for  this  care  and 
solicitude  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you." 

"  I  understand !  It  will  be  difficult.  .  .  .  Those  words  must 
be  added  even  when  they  are  conspicuous  by  their  absence. 
But  I  shall  do  my  best  either  to  drop  them  or  to  reduce  them  to 
the  most  commonplace  phrase." 

When  Corvisart  left  Pani  Walewska  became  more  hopeful. 
This  unexpected  ally  made  her  more  courageous,  notwithstand- 
ing that  his  visit  confirmed  all  her  fears. 

The  Chamberlain  came  home  long  after  midnight ;  he  took 
off  his  evening  dress,  put  on  a  warm,  comfortable  dressing-gown, 
and  having  learned  from  the  valet  that  his  wife  was  not  yet 
asleep,  went  to  her. 

At  sight  of  him  she  tried  to  look  tired  on  account  of  lack  of 
sleep,  but  the  Chamberlain  had  not  the  slightest  intention  of 
bothering  himself  to  inquire  about  her  health.  He  seemed  to 
be  entirely  preoccupied  with  himself;  he  wished  to  talk  of 
himself,  to  find  some  one  who  would  confirm  his  thoughts. 

"  Regret,  regret  that  you  did  not  go.  You  could  have  seen 
by  yourself,  you  would  have  been  convinced.  .  .  .  Małachowski 
o-nashed  his  teeth,  and  Wybicki  hovered  round  me  and  cringed. 
The  time  came  !  .  .  .  They  are  paid  .  .  .  but  it  is  only  the 
beginning !  I  shall  make  them  remember  me  !  They  thought 
that  I  was  a  simple  Chamberlain,  that  my  ambition  was  satisfied 
with  that  charge  and  the  title  !  They  pricked  me  continually  ! 
We  shall  see.  .  .  ." 

"  But  how  was  it .'' " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  81 

"  Magnificent !  Crowded  !  The  Emperor  said  to  different 
people  just  what  Poniatowski  whispered  to  him.  Only  when  he 
noticed  me  he  made  a  sign  to  Poniatowski  to  be  silent.  I  bow 
to  him.  He  looks  at  my  hands  and  says  :  '  Chamberlain^  have 
you  your  snufF-box } '  '  Yes,  Sire/  I  answer,  and  extend  my 
arm  to  him.  The  Emperor  took  a  pinch  of  snuff,  and  looking 
at  my  snuff-box,  said  :  '  Very  beautiful ! '  '  It  is  a  present  from 
His  Majesty  the  late  King/  I  answered.  'So,  permit  me,  then, 
to  present  you  with  a  snuff-box  also.'  I  wanted  to  thank  him, 
but  the  Emperor  made  a  sign  to  Duroc  and  began  to  question 
me.  I  could  hardly  answer  all  his  questions.  How  many  sons 
and  grandsons  had  I,  where  have  I  been  residing  during  the 
Prussian  invasion,  whether  they  did  not  harm  me.  .  .  .  Well, 
speaking  shortly,  he  has  vast  plans.  He  remarked  that  we  are 
at  the  threshold  of  a  new,  broad  life ;  that  now  it  is  time,  after 
years  of  inactivity,  to  seize  the  rudder  with  a  strong  hand.  He 
spoke  a  long  time.  I  cannot  repeat  everything,  for  you  might 
easily  betray  the  State  secrets.  I  was  even  afraid  that  some  one 
might  be  listening ;  Gutakowski  kept  round  us  and  tried  to 
catch  our  conversation,  but  as  soon  as  he  drew  nearer  the 
Emperor  lowered  his  voice.  At  last  he  asked  me  :  '  And  where 
is  your  vv^ife  ? '  I  told  him  that  you  were  ill,  and  he  at  once 
called  M.  de  Corvisart,  and  said  :  '  Visit  Mme.  Colonna 
Walewska  and  report  how  her  health  is.'  Naturally  I  thanked 
him,  and  he  smiled  and  .  .  .  slapped  me  on  the  shoulder.  Do 
you  understand .''...  Astonishment  in  the  room.  .  .  .  Yes,  he 
slapped  me  ,  .  .  here  .  .  .  here!  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  rose  on  his  tiptoes,  rapped  his  snuff-box, 
looked  sourly  at  his  wife,  who  was  listening  indifferently,  and 
added — 

"  Yesterday  I  talked  with  M.  de  Perigord.  H'm !  .  .  .  We 
must  build  solid  foundations  for  the  new  Government.  There 
must  be  discipline  in  the  army,  discipline  among  the  officials, 
discipline  everpvhere.  Look,  what  happened  in  France  !  They 
cut  off  Louis'  head,  they  murdered  the  nobility,  there  were  re- 
volutions, conventions,  directorates,  till  Bonaparte  put  his  hand 
on  everything,  and  all  is  well.  He  rules,  and  there  is  order ; 
everything  prospers.  It  will  be  the  same  here.  No  indulgence  ! 
The  late  King  sighed  and  complained  enough  of  different 
G 


82  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

reformers.  I  remember  wellj  he  said  once  to  me  :  '  Let  them 
give  me  one  acre  of  land  for  my  kingdom,  and  let  them  take  the 
rest ! '  He  was  the  best  of  men  :  witty,  intelhgent,  a  good  story- 
teller—  and  the  Thursday  dinners  in  the  Łazienki!  Discipline 
must  be  everywhere,  and  it  will  be  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  suddenly  moaned  and  seized  one  of  his 
knees,  and,  the  pain  having  passed,  he  looked  askance  at  his 
wife,  and  said — 

"  And  what  do  you  say  ?  " 

"I?     I  do  not  know  what  you  are  talking  about." 

The  Chamberlain  tightened  his  lips  and  smiled  ironically. 

"  It  is  my  fault !  I  have  forgotten  that  you  were  born  for  a 
different  kind  of  life — le  grand  monde  will  not  root  out  that 
which  country  life  planted  in  you." 

"  But  allow  .   .   .  your  talk  was  so  entangled." 

"  And  it  will  be  still  more  !  I  advise  you  to  tiy  to  come  up 
to  my  standard.  I  am  now  glad  you  did  not  go  to  the  ball ;  you 
would  have  said  some  nonsense,  and  Dombrowski's  partisans  are 
only  waiting  to  catch  something.  .  .  ." 

''Your  way  of  conversation  is  a  very  particular  one." 

"  Yes,  certainly,  and  incomprehensible.  I  know  it.  I  know 
it.  Enough !  Mme.  de  Vauban  told  me  she  will  call  on  you 
to-morrow.  You  will  receive  her  with  dignity,  but  without 
haste.  They  deserve  that  we  should  be  a  little  stiff  with  them. 
They  try  to  make  an  alliance  with  me.  Very  well.  I  shall 
concentrate  my  means,  conquer  the  common  foe,  and  then  I 
shall  settle  my  account.  In  the  first  place,  away  with  Dom- 
browski's partisans.  Wybicki  shall  not  delight  himself  for 
long.  .  .  ." 

"  Would  the  Emperor  part  with  him  .''  " 

"The  Emperor!  ...  I  wish  for  it." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  husband,  doubting  whether  his 
mind  was  sound.  The  Chamberlain,  carried  away  by  his  own 
words,  closed  his  eyes  and  seemed  to  listen  to  the  echo  of  his 
voice,  that  resounded  in  the  cut-glass  standing  on  the  toilet- 
table. 

"The  day  after  to-morrow  we  shall  be  at  Talleyrand's  'at 
home ' — and  in  a  week  we  shall  give  a  ball." 

"We  ,  .  .  a  ball!" 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  83 

"  Yes ;  I  said  a  ball.     A  representative  ball.     The  Princeq<! 
will  take  care  of  it !  " 

Pani  Walewska,  surprised  by  such  an  unexpected  resolution 
wished  to  ask  about  details,  but  the  Chamberlain,  kissino-  his 
hand  to  her  noisily,  smiled  indulgently  and  trotted  off  to  his 
apartments. 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE  Briihl  Palace  shone  with  streams  of  hght,  throwing  a 
Winding  glare  on  the  darkness  of  Saski  Square.  For  an 
hour  there  passed  by  its  portico  endless  rows  of  carriages, 
coaches,  and  sledges,  depositing  on  carpeted  stairs  people 
T\Tapped  up  in  furs,  overcoats,  shawls,  and  military  mantles. 
Sometimes  from  under  a  wrapper  appeared  for  a  moment  the 
hem  of  a  shining  rich  dress ;  sometimes  from  under  an  open 
overcoat  shone  the  star  of  an  Order,  arousing  admiration  among 
the  gathered  crowd.  Sometimes  by  the  livery  of  coachmen  and 
footmen,  by  the  horses,  by  the  coat-of-arms  on  the  coach,  the 
crowd  woidd  recognise  the  guests,  and  then  the  name  would 
pass  from  mouth  to  mouth,  sometimes  pronounced  with  respect, 
sometimes  Avith  a  sneering  whisper,  sometimes  with  ironical 
laughter,  or  with  an  indifferent  curve  of  the  mouth. 

The  coming  guests  were  more  and  more  numerous,  more  and 
more  noisy  ;  the  footmen  hastened  more  and  more  to  open  the 
doors  of  the  carriages ;  the  Palace  door  opened  more  and  more 
widely. 

In  the  cloak-room  doAvnstairs  the  animation  was  increasing. 
There,  from  under  lai*ge  mantles,  were  emerging  rustling,  shin- 
ing frocks,  silver  and  gold  embroidered  uniforms,  and  evening 
dresses  varied  in  colour. 

From  this  cloak-room,  after  the  last  inspection  of  their  dresses 
in  the  mirrors  of  the  vestibules,  the  guests  mounted  by  stairs 
covered  witli  scarlet  cloth,  at  the  top  of  which  stood,  smiling, 
distributing  hearty  greetings,  the  host  of  the  Palace,  M.  Talley- 
rand de  Perigord,  Prince  of  Benevento. 

Talleyrand,  by  means  of  this  ball,  succeeded  in  cutting  the 
Gordian  knot — he  set  aside  Poniatowski's  hesitation  and  Duroc's 
embarrassment. 

84 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  85 

The  Emperor's  wish  was  to  make  himself  known  to  the  wider 
circles  of  Warsovian  society,  to  give  to  his  sojourn  on  the  shores 
of  the  Vistula  a  solemn  character,  and  to  astonish  the  neigh- 
bours by  his  majestic  splendour.  After  several  receptions  in  the 
Castle,  which  had  the  character  of  audiences,  it  was  decided 
that  a  ball  should  be  given,  but  unexpected  difficulties  arose. 

Napoleon  was  living  in  the  Castle,  but  Prince  Joseph  Ponia- 
towski lived  near  the  Castle,  in  the  palace  called  Blacha,  and 
therefore  was  considered  almost  as  the  host  of  the  old  residence 
of  Polish  kings.  Therefore  the  Emperor  could  not  very  well 
assume  the  role  of  host,  the  more  so  that  the  Castle,  according 
to  the  diplomatic  decision  of  the  Cabinet,  would  give  to  the 
ball  a  too  important  meaning.  On  his  part,  Prince  Joseph 
Poniatowski  could  not  send  out  invitations  to  a  ball  at  the  place 
Avhere  the  actual  ruler  was  living.  To  add  to  that,  it  was  diffi- 
cult to  find  a  neutral  palace,  for  although  Warsaw  possessed  a 
great  number  of  aristocratic  residences,  in  which  even  crowned 
heads  were  formerly  received,  when  the  French  army  entered 
Poland  those  residences  were  occupied  by  generals,  marshals, 
and  superior  officials  of  the  Imperial  Coui-t ;  and  as  the  influx  of 
noblemen  was  enoniious,  the  existing  hotels  could  not  give 
accommodation  to  everybody ;  consequently  those  who  could 
tried  to  get  at  least  a  small  room  in  the  residences  of  their 
friends  and  acquaintances.  Therefore  there  was  no  place  where 
a  great  ball  could  be  given. 

The  difficulty  was  settled  by  Talleyrand,  who,  with  M. 
Davoust,  occupied  the  Briihl  Palace,  and  who  took  on  himself 
the  role  of  host ;  and  as  he  was  the  Emperor's  prime  minister, 
the  ball  given  by  him  had  for  some  people  the  importance  of  an 
official  reception ;  while  it  could  be  considered  by  others  as  a 
simple  social  function,  honoured  by  the  Emperor's  presence. 
The  society  of  Warsaw,  then,  did  not  think  about  the  double 
meaning  of  the  ball,  and  it  crowded  the  Briihl  Palace  for  the 
sake  of  not  losing  an  opportunity  of  seeing  Napoleon. 

Everybody  who  could  reach,  even  through  a  tenth  person. 
Prince  Joseph  Poniatowsksi,  or  some  member  of  the  temporary 
Government,  or  a  person  who  was  in  some  contact  with  the  general 
staff,  tried  to  obtain  an  invitation  for  that  ball,  emphasising  his 
social  position  and  importance  in  order  not  to  be  forgotten. 


86  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Talleyrand  was  very  liberal — a  ball  given  by  the  minister  did 
not  require  such  a  choice  selection  as  a  Court  ball ;  therefore  as 
many  invitations  v^^ere  sent  as  the  size  of  the  Palace  would 
allow. 

Crowds  of  people  were  coming. 

Talleyrand^  in  red  evening  dress  with  gold  embroideries^ 
holding  his  lorgnon  in  one  hand  and  a  perfumed  handkerchief 
in  the  other^  bowedj  smiled^  answered  patronisingly  all  greet- 
ings, which  sometimes  he  could  not  understand,  for  they  were 
uttered  in  Polish,  and  almost  every  moment  turned  to  a  group 
of  young  noblemen  whom  Prince  Joseph  Poniatowski  had 
placed  in  waiting  to  give  him  information  and  recall  names  to 
his  mind. 

The  Prince  of  Benevento  was  indefatigable.  For  an  hour 
he  had  bowed  and  welcomed  the  guests.  But  now  higher 
personages  were  arriving,  and  titles  and  historical  names  were 
announced  at  every  second.     At  last  even  that  was  over. 

Already  in  the  drawing-rooms  were  assembled  the  Princes 
Borghese  and  Poniatowski,  Murat,  Davoust,  Małachowski,  Maret, 
and  all  the  families  of  the  Potockis,  Radziwils,  Gutakowskis, 
Wojczynskis,  Sobolewskis,  Lubienskis,  Moszynskis,  Krasinskis, 
Tyszkiewiczs,  and  Ossolinskis. 

The  crowd  of  officers  of  the  guard  who  stood  at  the  entrance 
of  the  ballroom  to  admire  the  Polish  ladies,  so  famed  for  their 
beauty,  now  began  to  grow  thinner. 

M.  de  Talleyrand  looked  with  increasing  uneasiness  at  the 
entrance  door,  which  now  was  very  seldom  opened.  One  of 
the  young  men  standing  beside  him  dared  to  address  him. 

^'It  seems  all  the  invites  have  now  arrived.  Will  it  not  be 
proper  to  send  a  courier  to  the  Castle.-^" 

Talleyrand  answered  :  "Not  yet ;  we  must  wait." 

The  nobleman  withdrew  and  began  to  whisper  with  his 
comrades,  while  M.  de  Perigord  leaned  on  a  side  rail  and 
became  thoughtful,  gazing  unconsciously  on  the  dark  frescos  of 
the  portico,  on  worn-away  coats-of-arms  and  monograms,  even 
on  the  burning  chandeliers,  and  inattentively  caught  the 
servants'  gossip. 

M.  de  Perigord's  thoughts  were  interrupted  by  the  Duke  of 
Bassano. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  87 

"  Is  the  Emperor  notified?  " 

Talleyrand  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  But  you  must  know  that  she  has  not  yet  arrived." 

"  And  suppose  she  does  not  come  at  all  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  yet  a  decisive  answer ;  one  of  the  ladies  went  to 
her." 

"  But  it  is  ridiculous  that  we  all  should  wait  for  a  goose." 

M.  de  Perigord  smiled  ironically. 

"  I  cannot  helj?  that ;  the  Emperor  commanded  to  let  him 
know  only  when  she  arrived,  and  should  she  choose  to  come 
early  he  was  to  be  informed  at  once." 

"  Childishness  !  In  that  way  she  will  be  spoiled.  I  am  sur- 
prised that  Duroc  did  not  persuade  him.  It  will  attract  atten- 
tion. The  Emperor  will  be  hurt.  Hardly  is  all  over  with 
Eleonorę " 

Talleyrand  shook  his  fingers  impatiently. 

"You  do  not  need  to  remind  me  of  all  that,"  he  said  im- 
petuously, suddenly  losing  his  phlegm.  "  Such  affairs  should 
be  treated  through  lackeys,  and  not  made  a  show  of,  much  less 
should  others  be  forced  to  take  a  part  in  tliem." 

The  Duke  of  Bassano  looked  strangely  at  M.  de  Perigord, 
who  hastened  to  smooth  down  this  outburst. 

"  I  care  only  about  public  opinion  in  Warsaw." 

The  diplomats  looked  at  one  another  suspiciously  and  became 
silent. 

There  was  an  embarrassing  silence  between  them.  They 
hated  each  other,  could  not  endure  each  other.  Notwithstanding 
that,  they  were  obliged  to  communicate  with  each  other,  and 
work  together  for  hours  and  hours. 

M.  de  Perigord,  a  former  lordling,  a  nobleman,  even  a  bishop, 
striving  after  power,  was  able  to  put  on  the  republican  mask, 
hating  his  power-giver  and  master  more  every  day,  but  was  not 
able  to  bear  the  sight  of  new  potentates  growing  up  round  him. 
The  other,  until  recently  simple  M.  Maret,  was  now  a  duke, 
giving  soul  and  body  to  Napoleon,  not  possessing  even  a  shadow 
of  Talleyrand's  two-sidedness,  following  honest  ways  even  in 
diplomacy,  putting  personal  merit  above  family  traditions.  He 
could  not  bear  those  career-hunting  noblemen,  who  were  not 
content  in  their  proud  attachment  to  the  Bourbons,  but  who 


88  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

put  on  a  Court  di-ess  in  order  to  be  present  at  the  Emperor's 
ball.  It  was  the  Duke  of  Bassano  who  whispered  to  Napoleon 
his  opinion  about  a  certain  portion  of  the  French  nobihty :  "  I 
•wished  to  make  them  generals  and  marshals,,  but  they  preferred 
to  be  my  lackeys." 

Bassano  numbered  among  such  M.  de  Perigordj  only  he  con- 
sidered him  to  be  more  dangerous,  and  he  could  not  bear  his 
triflmg  remarks  about  the  Emperor.  Hence  frequent  quaiTels, 
heard  sometimes  at  the  Emperor's  door,  continual  fierce  fights, 
competition  and  hatred  increasing  every  day. 

After  some  time,  the  Duke  of  Bassano,  thinking  that  it  would 
be  better  to  say  something,  if  only  not  to  give  the  Polish  noble- 
men, who  were  helping  Talleyrand  at  the  ball,  an  opportunity 
for  gossip,  said  carelessly :  "  Is  it  Prince  Poniatowski  who  will 
accompany  the  Emperor  while  going  round .'' " 

"  I  do  not  know.     Duroc  will  tell  you." 

"  Certainly.  But  it  would  be  proper  to  put  forward  Wybicki 
here.  The  company  is  too  heterogeneous — the  Piince  is  not 
popular  with  everybody." 

"  I  do  not  know.  What  do  you  see  in  that  Wybicki }  I  know 
that  you  are  friends,  but  such  a  thing  should  not  be  taken 
into  consideration  if  there  is  any  question  about  tlie  pubUe 
good." 

"  You  forget  about  the  Emperor's  liking  for  Wybicki !  " 

"His  Majesty  is  sometimes  too  good.  Sometimes  he  gives 
preference  to  people,  following  the  first  impulse  of  his  heart, 
wliich  is  not  always  justified." 

"You  must  be  talking  from  your  oiwn  experience.  I  cannot 
contradict  here." 

Talleyrand  understood  the  sting. 

"  Nor  I,  looking  at  you." 

Bassano  reddened,  and  was  going  to  answer  Talleyrand ;  but 
the  latter,  ha%-ing  noticed  a  lady  in  the  entrance  door,  bowed  to 
the  Duke  and  went  to  meet  her. 

"What  news  do  you  bring?  "  asked  he. 

The  lady  leaned  towards  him,  half  closed  her  eyes,  and  said 
earnestly  :  "She  is  coming." 

"  At  last !  I  do  not  know  what  to  do  about  all  this.  Princess, 
you  understand." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  89 

"  And  what  I  have  undergone  !  My  brother  was  obhged  to 
use  all  his  authority." 

Talleyrand  smiled  ironically.  The  Princess  threatened  him 
with  her  fan. 

"You  must  not  be  malicious.     I  deserve  gratitude  ! " 

Tallep'and  took  the  Princess's  hand  and  kissed  it. 

"  Not  thatj  not  that !  If  I  were  ten  years  younger^  it  would 
suffice." 

"So  much  the  worse  for  me." 

"Now  I  understand  why  they  call  you  a  Sultan." 

"  Do  you  believe  ?  " 

"  I  believe^  for  I  feel  hov>-  you  set  a  snare  at  once  ! "  Here 
the  Princess  sighed  so  deeply  that  the  powder  fell  from  her 
face  ;  then  she  added  in  a  low  voice  :  "  Only  launch  her^  launch 
her  by  all  means." 

"But " 

"  Do  not  excuse  yourself     Speak  about  her." 

Talleyrand  laughed  heartily. 

"Then  you  think  she  can  be  another  Pompadour.''  How  little 
you  know  the  Emperor  !  " 

"  Yes,  but  .  .  ." 

Talleyrand  whispered :  "  You  are  looldng  for  subtlety  of 
sentiment,,  for  depth,  for  ideals  !  Do  you  know  whom  he  loves  ? 
Himself,  and  then  .  .  .  Have  you  seen  at  the  porte  cockere  those 
two  guards? — he  loves  them  also,  but  only  when  at  his  will  they 
die  on  the  battlefield." 

"  How  horrid  !  " 

"But  unfortunately  true." 

"  One  would,  however,  expect  something." 

"Certainly." 

"Therefore  do  not  refuse  to  help  her." 

"  H'ni — it  depends.  If  she  knows  how  to  be  clever,  although 
I  must  tell  you  that  this  is  impossible  in  the  wider  meaning. 
One  cannot  explain  everything.  He  has  fancies ;  he  hates  re- 
sistance.    Then  he  does  not  care  to  preserve  appearances." 

M.  de  Perigord  sighed.  The  Princess  became  sincerely 
sorrowful. 

"  You  frighten  me  !  Do  not  wonder  that  I  am  alarmed ;  she 
is  a  near  relation  of  mine." 


90  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

"I  understand/'  answered  Talleyrand.  "Pray  believe  me, 
that  out  of  respect  for  you.  Princess,  I  will  do  my  best." 

"  I  am  infinitely  obliged." 

At  this  moment  there  was  a  movement  among  the  servants  in 
the  portico,  and  Pani  Walewska,  followed  by  her  husband, 
entered.  Talleyrand  put  his  lorgnon  to  his  eyes  and  began  to 
look  with  the  air  of  a  connoisseur  at  Pani  Walewska,  observing 
her  eveiy  movement,  every  fold  of  her  trailing  dress. 

On  her  side,  the  Princess  could  hardly  conceal  her  emotion. 

"  It  is  unpardonable !  What  a  caprice !  I  begged,  I  be- 
sought.    So  much  the  worse  for  her,  so  much  the  worse." 

M.  de  Perigord  did  not  have  time  to  share  the  Princess's 
indignation. 

Pani  WalcAvska  and  her  husband  greeted  him.  Talleyrand 
mumbled  some  compliment,  and  offered  his  arm  to  the  Chamber- 
lain's wife,  while  Pan  Walewski  conducted  the  Princess. 

They  directed  their  steps  to  the  dancing-hall. 

The  Princess  moved  her  fan  rapidly ;  the  Chamberlain 
coughed,  and  with  his  left  hand  adjusted  the  great  riband  of 
the  Order. 

Talleyrand  exchanged  with  Pani  Walev/ska  a  few  short, 
commonplace  words. 

All  seemed  to  be  moved,  uncertain. 

At  the  threshold  of  the  dancing-hall  the  Princess  v/hispered 
with  trembling  voice  to  her  brother,  pointing  at  his  wife  walk- 
ing in  front  of  them  :  "  How  could  you  permit .''  " 

The  Chamberlain  frowned  so  much  that  his  wig  moved,  and 
he  answered  with  pained  voice — 

"  In  the  last  moment  she  refused.     I  could  do  nothing." 

"But  it  is  awful — in  such  a  frock  !  " 

"  Only  to  contradict.     But  for  duty,  I  would  have  given  up." 

"But  what  Avill  tlie  people  say  .^ "  burst  out  the  Princess 
Jabłonowska. 

In  answer  to  that  exclamation,  there  came  from  the  room 
a  long  whisper.  A  strange,  incomprehensible  whisper,  which 
deprived  even  Talleyrand  of  his  usual  assurance,  so  much  so 
that  he  seemed  to  have  the  air  of  a  victim  accomplishing  a  most 
painful  duty,  bending  under  the  burden  of  righteous  scorn  of 
hurt  public  opinion. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  91 

In  the  crowded  room  the  whispers  increased.  The  uniforms 
embroidered  with  gold  and  silver  made  way,  variegated  evening 
dresses  and  frocks  shining  with  diamonds  drew  aside — all  eyes 
turned  on  Pani  Walewska. 

This  interest  was  spontaneous,  for  Pani  Walewska  appeared 
as  a  contrast  to  everything  in  that  shining  and  gorgeous  ball, 
which  was  constituted  as  a  superb  decoration  for  majesty, 
a  background  for  Bonaparte's  might  and  power,  an  expression 
of  respect  and  standard  of  beauty.  Pani  Walewska  dared  to 
challenge  fashion.  Court  requirements,  ideas  of  etiquette,  the 
advice  of  powerful  Joubert,  the  Princess's  hints,  and  her  hus- 
band's wishes.  Pani  Walewska  went  to  the  ball  of  the  Prime 
Minister,  almost  to  the  Emperor's  ball,  in  a  white  tulle  dress, 
unadorned  with  any  embroideries,  lace,  or  precious  stones ! 
There  was  not  one  artificial  flower  in  her  luxuriant  hair,  nor  one 
bud  on  her  bodice.  Pani  Walewska  in  such  a  frock  with  bent 
head  seemed  to  be  a  Cinderella,  a  chambermaid,  dragged  to 
a  drawing-room  as  a  spectacle  to  the  grand  monde. 

The  whisper  passed  gradually  into  noisy  talk :  first  shots  of 
malicious  remarks  fell,  the  ironical  smiles  passed  even  to  the 
most  indulgent,  when  Talleyrand  noticed  the  Prince  of  Berg 
coming  to  him,  and  stopped  in  the  centre  of  the  room. 

Murat  approached  them  with  constrained  politeness. 

"Ah,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  it  is  Pani  Walewska?  Pray 
introduce  me." 

M.  de  Perigord  pronounced  his  title  swiftly. 

Murat  bowed  slightly,  and  began  to  look  up  and  down  the 
Chamberlain's  wife,  speaking  slowly. 

"For  some  time  I  have  -wished  to  meet  you — I  am  very 
glad If  I  am  not  mistaken  .   .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  hfted  her  head,  the  blood  flushed  her  pale 
face. 

Murat  stopped  in  his  sentence,  looking  with  surprise  at  the 
Chamberlain's  wife. 

His  astonishment  communicated  itself  to  those  around  him. 

As  Pani  Walewska  now  stood  with  lifted  head,  one  could  see 
the  depth  of  her  dark,  sapphire-hke  eyes.  The  whiteness  of 
her  bare  shoulders  competed  with  her  snow-white  dress ;  from 
every  line  of  her  classical  features,  every  fold  of  her  simple 


92  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

dress,  came  forth  pride  mingled  -vvith  simplicity ;  she  seemed  a 
goddess  come  down  amongst  mortals ;  she  looked  Uke  the 
moniing  star,  shining  brighter  than  the  others,  resembling  a  ray 
of  sunshine  amongst  the  light  of  the  lamps. 

There  were  again  whispei's — long — quiet. 

A  crowd  of  uniforms  and  evening  dresses  surrounded  Pani 
Walewska ;  words  of  praise,  admiration,  rapture  were  heard 
more  and  more. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Pani  Walewska  was  able  to  answer  a  few 
words  to  Murat,  then,  fired  by  the  looks  of  the  crowd,  she 
blushed,  looking  round  for  a  place  of  escape  from  intruding 
eyes.  She  seemed  to  say,  I  did  not  try  to  increase  my  beauty ; 
I  did  not  wish  to  attract  your  attention  by  my  modest  frock 
and  absence  of  diamonds ;  I  did  not  take  even  a  flower.  Then  by 
what  are  you  attracted .-"  why  do  you  not  pei'mit  me  to  pass  ? 

M.  de  Perigord,  who  did  not  yet  realise  the  change  of  im- 
pression which  had  taken  hold  of  his  guests,  and  who  remem- 
bered only  that  he  was  conducting  a  lady  dressed  hke  a  countiy 
girl,  took  advantage  of  Murat's  silence  to  make  his  way  through 
the  crowd  of  uniforms  and  evening  dresses,  and  to  lead  Pani 
Walewska  to  a  sofa  standing  in  a  corner  of  the  room.  Then  he 
bowed  and  left  her  again  under  the  tutelage  of  her  husband 
and  Princess  Jabłonowska.  The  latter,  full  of  indignation  from 
offended  fashion  and  wounded  ambition,  did  not  fail  to  tell  Pani 
Walewska  how  dissatisfied  she  was. 

"Ma  cftere I  You  did  as  you  Avished,  and  look  what  hap- 
pened. It  is  impossible  to  raise  one's  eyes ;  it  seems  as  if  you 
M'anted  to  show  that  you  have  not  the  slightest  knowledge 
about  a  Court  reception.     Excuse  me,  but  it  is  painful." 

Pani  Walewska  answered  quietly :  "  I  did  not  know  that 
I  should  be  a  cause  of  pain." 

The  Princess  looked  inquisitively  at  Pani  Walewska's  lovely 
face,  and  added  more  kindly  :  "A  person  who  has  no  experience 
should  listen  to  those  who  have.  W^hat  a  pity !  A  dark  blue 
dress  would  be  so  becoming  to  you." 

Pani  Walewska  felt  piqued  involuntarily  by  coquettishness. 

"  Is  it  possible  that  my  dress  is  so  very  unbecoming  to  me .'' " 

"  Undoubtedly,  although  you  look  charming  to-night ;  but 
how  much  more  lovely  you  could  look !     As  it  is,  it  is  uncertain. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  93 

TallejTand  was  sour.  I  noticed  it.  It  is  doubtful  if  you  will 
be  presented  to  the  Emperor." 

"Is  that  so?"  exclaimed  Pani  Walewska,  with  evident  con- 
tentment in  her  voice. 

The  Princess  looked  severely  at  her  sister-in-law. 

"  Marie  !  at  least  remember  Anastazy.  Ah,  Count  Herceau  ! 
How  do  you  do  ?     Marie,  permit  me " 

"I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Madame  Walewska/' 
said  the  Count,  bowing  very  elegantly,  "  and  that  is  why  I  dare 
to  ask  permission  to  introduce  to  you  one  of  the  young  officers 
of  the  guard,  M.  Bertrand." 

"  With  pleasure,"  consented  the  Princess. 

Herceau  nodded  to  a  lieutenant  standing  not  far  off. 

Pani  Walewska  felt  Bertrand's  expressive  look,  heard  the 
clatter  of  spurs,  answered  the  compliments  mechanically  which 
were  addi-essed  to  her,  and  she  breathed  freely,  thinking  that 
she  had  got  rid  of  a  commonplace  fomiality,  when  Bertrand  was 
followed  by  Montbrun,  Montbrun  by  Duroc,  Duroc  by  Milhaud, 
Milhaud  by  Flahaut,  and  then  unifomi  after  unifonn,  evening 
dress  after  evening  dress,  crowded  round  Pani  Walewska.  The 
Chamberlain's  wife  could  hardly  conceal  her  confusion.  With  an 
effort  she  listened  to  often  exaggerated  homage ;  from  time  to 
time  she  glanced  at  the  crowd  of  men  timidly,  as  if  she  would 
ask  them  why  they  put  her  into  that  pillory.  The  Princess 
during  this  homage  found  an  opportunity  to  wliisper  to  her. 

"  Do  you  see  !     And  what  would  it  be  if Look  at  Guta- 

kowska.  Lubińska,  and  others,  all  have  velvet  dresses  to-day. 
Had  you  put  on  your  diadem,  you  would  have  eclipsed  even 
Sobolewska.  Poor  Anastazy !  I  tell  you,  one  can  see  how  much 
he  suffers." 

At  last  the  crowd  of  men  became  thinner  round  Pani 
Walewska ;  now  the  older  and  principal  ones  came  with 
greeting. 

The  Princess  saved  Pani  Walewska  the  trouble  of  finding 
answers  which  required  to  correspond  with  the  rank  and  merits 
of  those  Vv^ho  were  introduced. 

Count  Herceau  and  Lieutenant  Bertrand  alone  did  not  give 
up  their  position  near  Pani  W^alewska,  and  tried  by  turns  to 
continue  the  conversation  with  her. 


94  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  was  in  despair/'  said  the  Count  in  a  puling  voice.  "  I 
nearly  lost  hope  that  you  -would  forgive  me." 

"\  do  not  understand  your  despair." 

''But  I  feel  it!"  rejoined  Bertrand;  ''and  if  I  did  not  share 
it,  it  is  because  I  have  the  honour  and  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
for  the  first  time." 

"Better  add,  not  only  to  see,  but  also  to  admire." 

"  You  are  too  kind  indeed." 

"  Rather,  too  avaricious  in  words,"  corrected  Bertrand. 

"  My  dear  sir,  do  you  not  know  that  there  are  moments  when 
the  excess  of  sentiment  stops  words .'' " 

"  Certainly  I  do  know  it ;  and  you,  Madame  ?  " 

"  I  think  that  the  Count  is  only  inclined  to  hasty  compliments." 

"  Upon  my  honour,  Madame,"  protested  Herceau,  "  never 
before  was  I  as  sincere  as  now." 

"  I  must  be  maHcious." 

"Pray  listen  to  me  :  one  of  the  most  famous  astrologers 
read  in  the  book  of  my  life  that  a  woman  Avould  bewitch  me, 
would  dazzle  me,  would  enrapture  me,  chain  me  to  her  chariot 
for  ever.  I  doubted  until  noAv  about  the  trustworthiness  of  the 
prediction,  but  to-day  I  am  convinced." 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  take  the  trouble  to  answer  such  an 
exaergerated  declaration. 

Bertrand  looked  in  an  unfriendly  manner  at  the  Count,  and 
wishing  to  gain  an  advantage  over  him,  said  to  Pani  Walewska, 
with  a  bow,  "Can  I  have  the  honour  of  dancing  a  quadrille 
with  you  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know." 

On  Bertrand's  expressive  face  a  sincere  disappointment 
appeared.     "It  would  be  such  a  pleasure  for  me." 

"  My  sister-in-law  dances  so  little,"  the  Princess  suddenly 
said,  having  caught  the  lieutenant's  request,  notwithstanding 
that  she  was  talking  to  someone  else. 

"  But  if  .   .  ."  insisted  Bertrand. 

The  Princess  answered,  "  I  doubt  very  much." 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale,  and  said  to  the  confused  Bertrand : 
"  Is  it  for  a  quadrille }     I  accept." 

The  lieutenant  rang  his  spurs  and  looked  triumphantly  at  the 
disappointed  Herceau. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  95 

The  Princess  could  hardly  conceal  her  irritation.  It  was 
evident  that  she  wanted  to  scold  Pani  Walewska,  who  pretended 
to  be  so  much  occupied  in  conversing  with  Bertrand,  that  the 
Pi-incess  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  attempt. 

But  it  was  too  much  for  Princess  Jabłonowska ;  therefore, 
having  noticed  her  brother  standing  near,  she  nodded  to  him, 
and  when  he  came,  she  said  with  a  soiTowful  tone,  "  Mo7i  cher  ! 
I  am  afraid  for  Marie !  Doctor  Corvisart  recommended  her  to 
be  very  careful,  and  she  proposes  to  dance  a  quadrille  with 
Lieutenant  Bertrand." 

Before  the  Chamberlain  was  able  to  answer,  the  lieutenant, 
having  heard  his  name,  turned  to  him,  and,  putting  out  his 
hand,  introduced  himself  solemnly. 

"Bertrand,  aide-de-camp  on  the  general  staff  of  his  Majesty." 

"  I  am  very  pleased,"  mumbled  the  Chamberlain ;  and  when 
Bertrand  turned  again  to  Pani  Walewska,  he  understood  the 
meaning  of  the  Princess's  words,  and  rapped  noisily  on  his 
snuff-box. 

The  Princess  whispered  to  him  again. 

"  Do  you  understand  ?     A  quadrille  with  a  lieutenant ! " 

"It  is  impossible.     Prince  Borghese  has  just  asked." 

"I  assure  you  she  promised." 

"I  shall  not  allow  it." 

"  Naturally — you  have  the  right !  " 

The  Chamberlain  was  ready  to  carry  out  his  threat,  when  a 
whisper  ran  through  the  room  :  "The  Emperor  !  the  Emperor  !  " 

The  hum  of  voices  ceased ;  all  eyes  were  turned  to  the 
entrance.  After  a  moment,  Talleyrand's  sonorous  voice  re- 
sounded— 

"  L'Empereur  !  " 

The  band  played  a  polonaise.  All  the  assembly  rose  from 
their  seats. 

Napoleon  entered — stopped  at  the  threshold  as  if  to  allow 
himself  to  be  looked  at — then,  preceded  by  Talleyrand,  and 
followed  by  Duroc,  Wybicki,  and  Prince  Poniatowski,  walked 
nervously  towards  the  centre  of  the  room. 

The  crowd  of  M.  de  Perigord's  guests  wavered,  enlarged  the 
circle,  and  bent  their  heads  breathless  before  the  ruler. 

Faces    burned,   eyes    shone,   hearts   throbbed   quicker   than 


96  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

usual ;  a  shiver  ran  through  those  who  had  seen  him  ah-eady, 
and  through  those  who  beheld  hini  for  the  first  time. 

Napoleon  did  not  disappoint  the  highest  expectations.  Half- 
opened  lips,  strained  looks,  the  most  stiffnecked  bent  before 
iiim,  appreciating  that  here  also  he  was  the  man  of  whom  the 
soldiers  of  the  Polish  legions  sang,  the  man  depicted  in 
Dombrowski's  and  Wybicki's  repoi-ts,  the  man  characterised 
in  the  news  from  Marengo,  Austerlitz,  and  Jena,  the  man 
Avhom  they  -wished  him  to  be.  The  same  uniform  of  Chasseurs 
a  cheval,  green  with  red,  the  same  white  vest,  with  the  tiny  red 
ribbon  of  the  Legion  cVhonneur,  the  same  magnetically  penetrat- 
ing look,  and  the  same  gloomy  fold  between  his  eyebrows. 

Napoleon  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  dancing-hall,  and  turned 
to  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court. 

Duroc  understood  the  meaning  of  that  movement,  for  he 
bent  a  little  before  the  Emperor,  and  whispered  :  "  To  the 
left,  under  the  mirror — in  a  white  dress." 

After  a  little.  Napoleon  turned  his  head  in  the  direction 
indicated  by  Duroc,  his  glance  pierced  the  crowds  of  women 
and  men,  passed  over  several  faces,  and  stopped  where  Pani 
Walewska  stood  leaning  on  Bertrand' s  arm. 

The  presentation  began. 

Wybicki,  Poniatowski,  and  TallejTand  stood  behind  the 
Emperor  in  order  to  help  him  to  recognise  persons  and  talk 
pleasantly  to  them. 

"Małachowski,  the  chaii'man  of  the  Diet,"  spoke  Wybicki, 
behind  the  Emperor. 

"  He  was  not  well,"  added  Talleyrand,  from  the  other  side. 

Napoleon  hardly  looked  at  the  aged  man,  and  said  :  "  Ah  ! 
I  am  glad.     How  is  your  wife .'' " 

Małachowski  shivered  slightly,  failing  to  understand  what 
was  the  meaning  of  the  inquii'y  about  his  wife,  who  had  died 
long  before ;  but  ere  he  could  say  a  Avord,  Wybicki  had  already 
presented  another  dignitaiy. 

"Thomas  Ostrowski ! " 

"A  member  of  the  temporary  Government;  he  works  very 
hard,"  added  Poniatowski  hurriedly. 

"  I  hope  you  are  enjoying  yourself,  for  the  Carnival  is  very 
brilliant,"  said  the  Emperor  in  conclusion,  to  Ostrowski. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  97 

Those  who  stood  near  could  hardly  conceal  their  astonish- 
ment. Talleyrand  covered  his  mouth  with  a  handkerchief, 
Poniatowski  bit  his  lips,  Wybicki  grew  red.  Ostrowski  bent  his 
grey  head  and  toyed  slightly  with  his  Orders.  Duroc  again 
whispered  something  into  the  Emperor's  ear.  Napoleon  frowned 
severely,  but  from  that  moment  he  followed  the  whispered 
indications  better. 

When  the  Empei'or  passed  from  the  men  to  the  women  his 
distraction  returned,  and  it  bordered  sometimes  on  imperti- 
nence. 

The  old  Princess  Ossolińska  learned  from  the  Emperor  that 
grey  was  becoming  to  her ;  young  and  beautiful  Countess 
Thomas  Lubieńska  was  asked  when  her  son  entered  the  army ; 
stout  Pani  Wojczynska  had  a  comphment  that  she  must  dance 
well ;  fair-hau-ed  Pani  Sobolewska  was  told  that  only  dark-haired 
women  could  claim  to  be  beautiful  ;  the  Princess  Dominik 
Radziwil,  powdered  according  to  old  fashion,  had  the  honour  of 
hearing  fi-om  the  imperial  mouth  that  her  complexion  was  very 
fresh. 

Wybicki  perspired.  Poniatowski  Avas  red,  Talleyrand  made 
comical  faces.  In  the  meantime,  enormities  said  by  Napoleon 
were  abundantly  distributed  to  the  right  and  left. 

The  Emperor  did  not  pay  any  attention  to  whispered  informa- 
tion, to  pronounced  names ;  he  walked  quicker  and  quicker, 
passed  some  ladies  unceremoniously,  and  approached  the  most 
remote  corner  of  the  room  where  stood  the  Countess  Alexandre 
Potocka  and  Pani  Walewska. 

Napoleon's  eveiy  movement,  his  every  word,  signified  that  he 
wished  to  finish  the  tedious  ceremony  as  soon  as  possible  ;  that 
he  did  not  care  to  enter  into  society  requirements,  that  he  came 
here  to  conmiand,  and  not  to  follow  forms  and  customs. 

After  having  said  some  more  words,  which  almost  paralysed 
the  curtsejdng  ladies,  the  Emperor  stopped  before  the  Countess 
Alexandre  Potocka,  who,  dressed  in  velvet  and  shining  with 
diamonds,  was  famous  for  her  beauty  under  her  maiden  name  of 
Anetka  Tyszkiewicz. 

"You  will  dance  the  quadrille  with  me.''"  said  Napoleon 
Bonaparte  drily,  looking  constantly  in  the  direction  where  Pani 
Walewska  stood. 


98  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Anetka  raised  her  dark  expressive  eyes  slowly,  and  said  with 
a  charming  smile  :  "Sire,  I  am  very  grateful  for  the  honour." 

At  the  sound  of  the  Countess  Potocka's  voice.  Napoleon  only 
now  turned  to  her,  glanced  at  her  elegant  figure  full  of  un- 
deniable charm. 

"You  are  very  interesting." 

"Sire!" 

"You  are  able  to  make  an  impression." 

"  Sire,  where  you  stop  .  ,  ." 

"  Looking  at  you,  one  must  believe  that  the  Polish  ladies  are 
beautiful.     Yes  !  here  one  can  be  captured  !  " 

"Sire,"  said  the  Countess  Potocka  without  hesitation,  "it  is 
your  destiny  to  be  victorious." 

Napoleon  made  a  slight  grimace,  and  asked  abruptly :  "  How 
are  your  children.''"  and  not  v/aiting  for  an  answer,  began  to 
talk  with  Wybicki. 

During  that  conversation,  unfortunate  for  the  Countess 
Potocka,  Duroc  left  the  Emperor  and  went  to  Pani  Walewska. 

"  May  I  present  my  respects  to  you  ?" 

"  Ah,  it  is  you  !  "  said  Pani  Walewska,  blushing. 

"  I  do  not  know  how  to  express  my  gi-atitude  for  your  coming." 

Lieutenant  Bertrand,  standing  beside  Pani  Walewska,  re- 
treated respectfully. 

Princess  Jabłonowska  and  the  Chamberlain  drew  nearer, 
trying  to  catch  Duroc's  look  in  order  to  greet  him,  but  he  did 
not  cease  talking  to  Pani  Walewska. 

"W^e  considered  it  our  duty.  M.  de  Perigord,  Prince  of 
Lenevento,  was  kind  enough " 

"  He  only  fulfilled  the  command !  You  cannot  doubt  that 
some  one  else  wished  to  see  you  here." 

"  I  do  not  know— I  do  not  understand." 

"You  shall  have  an  opportunity  to  convince  yourself.  Can 
I  ask  you  for  the  honour  of  dancing  a  quadrille  with  you.-"" 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged,  and  sorry.  I  have  promised  it  to 
Lieutenant  Bertrand." 

Duroc  turned  to  the  officer  and  smiled  cunningly. 

"  Ah !  if  it  is  so,  then  permit  me  to  be  first  after  Lieutenant 
Bertrand." 

"  Certainly  !  "  answered  Pani  Walewska,  not  trying  to  conceal 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  99 

her  joy  that  she  had  escaped  so  easily  from  dancing  with  Duroc^ 
and,  what  was  more  important,  from  having  to  hsten  to  his 
irritating  insinuations. 

Duroc  now  turned  to  the  Princess  and  the  Chamberlain,  and 
said  a  few  polite  words  to  them. 

The  Princess,  who  was  moved  by  Duroc's  conversation  with 
her  sister-in-law,  deemed  it  her  duty  to  smooth  down  the 
refusal  to  dance. 

"  We  are  so  sorry !  But  it  is  done.  Marie,  naturally,  not- 
withstanding her  willingness,  could  not  AvithdraAV  the  promise 
given  to  M.  Bertrand." 

The  Marshal  smiled  ironically. 

"A  tardy  applicant.  I  was  favoured  too  much.  •  .  I  have  the 
second  place." 

"  Do  you  know  Lieutenant  Bertrand  }  " 

"Yes,  he  is  a  very  able  officer;  he  has  a  splendid  future 
before  him." 

"One  word,"  said  the  Chamberlain,  who  had  attempted 
several  times  to  take  part  in  the  conversation. 

"Yes." 

"Is  the  presentation  finished  ?  " 

Duroc  looked  in  the  direction  where  Napoleon  was  talking 
with  Wybicki. 

"I  think  so.     His  Majesty  is  tired,  for  it  is  tiring." 

"  Certainly,  but  .  .  .  my  wife  had  not  the  honour  to  be  pre- 
sented.    She  was  not  able  to  go  to  the  Castle  the  other  day." 

Duroc  laughed  involuntarily,  but  he  refrained  immediately, 
and  said  with  sincere  compassion — 

"  What  a  pity !  Perhaps  there  will  still  be  an  opportunity. 
I  shall  remember  it.  It  is  justly  due  to  you.  It  seems  that  the 
Emperor  did  not  talk  with  you  to-day." 

"I  kept  aside." 

"Notwithstanding,  his  Majesty  remembers  you  well." 

Duroc  withdrew  adroitly  and  disappeared  amongst  the  uni- 
forms. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  reproachfully  at  his  wife,  and  said— 

"A  nice  position!  He  is  evidently  hurt!  At  such  a  ball  to 
grant  a  dance  to  a  lieutenant !     What  a  success !  " 

"  The   Emperor   is   dancing   with    Anetka ! "    said    Princess 


100  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Jabłonowska^  who  had  already  succeeded  in  catching  the 
whisper  circulating  the  room. 

"Is  it  possible  ?  "  said  the  Chamberlain  doubtfully. 

"It  is  certain;  Potocki  knows  how  to  push  himself.  His 
father  is  already  with  Wybicki." 

The  Chamberlain  impatiently  rapped  on  his  new  imperial 
snuff-box. 

"  Yes,  yes,  everybody  l;ielps  him ;  his  son  Alexandre,  daughter- 
in-law,  and  wife." 

"One  may  sit  down,"  was  whispered  through  the  room. 

Pani  Walewska,  taking  advantage  of  the  confusion  produced 
by  the  people  looking  for  seats,  went  quickly  to  her  place  under 
the  mirror  in  order  to  avoid  her  husband's  further  complaints 
and  the  Princess's  reproaches.  Here  on  the  sofa,  occupied  by 
several  ladies,  access  was  more  difficult,  and  the  conversation 
was  general. 

The  Chamberlain,  seeing  this  manoeuvre,  set  his  teeth ;  the 
Princess  moved  her  fan  vehemently,  and  was  obliged  to  follow 
Pani  Walewska's  example,  and  having  found  as  her  neighbour  the 
Countess  Moszyńska,  began  to  talk  with  her. 

The  centre  of  the  ballroom  became  less  crowded,  groups  of 
uniforms  and  evening  dresses  drew  aside,  permitting  all  to  look 
at  what  was  going  on. 

The  sight  was  unusual,  indeed,  even  for  those  who  showed 
sour  faces  to  their  king,  looked  at  his  Majesty  with  proudly 
uplifted  heads  and  uttered  haughty  words. 

In  the  centre  of  the  room  Napoleon  stood  exchanging  short 
words  with  Wybicki.  Behind  the  Emperor,  Prince  Joseph 
Poniatowski  with  Murat  seemed  to  wait  for  a  word  from  the 
Emperor. 

Bonaparte  appeared  not  to  see  them.  .  .  .  Suddenly  Talley- 
rand came  from  the  other  room  of  the  palace  and  went  straight 
to  the  Emperor,  carrying  a  glass  of  lemonade  on  a  golden  tray. 
Talleyrand,  feeling  that  everybody  was  looking  at  him,  drooped 
his  head  and  set  his  lips  tight. 

He  stopped  near  Napoleon  and  extended  his  arm  with  the 
tray,  but  the  Emperor  did  not  seem  to  notice  him. 

A  long,  trying  moment  passed.  At  last  Napoleon  turned 
negligently  towards  Talleyrand. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  101 

"  Ah  !  what  is  it  ?     Lemonade  ?     I  do  not  need  it." 

The  minister  bowed  respectfully,  and  went  away  with  the 
tray.     This  scene  gave  material  for  whispers  and  comment. 

"  Prime  Minister  !     Such  a  dignitary  !  "  wondered  the  Poles. 

"Service,  etiquette  !"  explained  marshals  and  generals. 

"  The  part  of  a  lackey  is  very  becoming  to  him,"  murmured 
the  republicans,  clad  in  imperial  unifoims. 

"  How  gene  he  must  feel,"  said  the  \«omen  compassionately. 

"He  could  not  do  the  same  with  us,"  whispered  Pohsh 
noblemen. 

Pani  Walewska  was  so  much  surprised  by  this  scene  that  she 
bent  towards  the  Princess,  and  said :  ''  I  could  not  imagine  that 
M.  de  Perigord  .  ,   ." 

"A  person  who  does  not  know  the  Court  wonders!"  answered 
the  Princess  sourly. 

The  Chamberlain,  who  was  again  standing  behind  the  sofa, 
deemed  it  proper  to  smile  indulgently. 

"  Court  etiquette  surprises  ignorant  people !  Pfi !  that  is 
nothing!     To  the  late  king  I  handed  not  a  tray,  but  bumpers." 

"  But  he  is  a  minister  !  " 

"Not  better  than  a  chamberlain." 

"  In  Vienna,  the  etiquette  is  still  more  severe,"  remarked  the 
Princess. 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  answer  that  such  etiquette  was 
bordering  on  humiliation,  when  the  first  fanfare,  announcing 
the  quadrille,  sounded.  She  heard  behind  her  the  clink  of 
Lieutenant  Bertrand's  spurs.  She  looked  at  him,  and  said :  "  It 
is  only  the  first  fanfare .''  " 

"  Yes,  Madame,"  answered  Bertrand,  with  a  trembhng  voice, 
"  I  have  to  ask  your  forgiveness  that  I  dared  to  trouble  you." 

Bertrand  stopped  suddenly.  Pani  WalcAvska  made  a  move- 
ment.    "Excuse  me,  but  I  do  not  understand." 

"  Never  before  was  my  uniform  such  a  burden  to  me  as  it  is 
just  now." 

«  But " 

"  I  dared  to  ask  you  for  a  quadrille,  having  forgotten  that 
the  duties  of  my  service  might  not  grant  me  even  an  hour  of 
pleasure.     I " 

"  What,  then  }  " 


102  NAPOLEON"S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  have  been  ordered  to  go  at  once  to  Silesia  to  join  Marshal 
Mortier's  amiy  corps.  In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  I  shall  be  on 
horseback.  There  remains  nothing  for  me  but  to  beg  of  you 
to  excuse  me." 

"I  pity  you  heartily." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  kind  words." 

"  It  is  cold  and  stormy." 

"  Duty,  Madame,  but  it  is  a  cruel  one  just  now.  I  dreamed 
about  something  else  a  while  ago." 

The  heutenant  saluted,  Pani  Walewska  put  out  her  little 
hand  to  him  s}anpathisii)gly.  Bertrand  kissed  it  respectfully, 
clanked  his  spurs,  and  went  out. 

The  Princess  smiled  with  satisfaction ;  the  Chamberlain  rapped 
on  his  snuff-box  joyously ;  Pani  Walewska  became  thoughtful. 
She  pitied  Bertrand,  such  an  agreeable  young  man ;  he  had 
drawn  Duroc  away  from  her. 

"Well,  I  hinted  to  you.  Now  you  will  be  obliged  to  sit 
during  the  dance,  for  it  is  too  late ;  also  it  would  not  be  proper 
for  me  to  seek  a  partner  for  you,"  said  the  Chamberlain. 

"Better  not  to  dance  than  have  such  an  honour,"  said  the 
Princess. 

"  I  am  not  of  your  opinion  ;  I  liked  Lieutenant  Bertrand." 

"  Chere  Marie  !  he  would  be  a  very  proper  partner  in  the 
country  house  of  a  petty  nobleman." 

"  What  do  you  say.  Princess  ? "  asked  Countess  Moszyńska. 

"Well,  Marie,  apres  une  vialadie,  must  be  very  careful.  She 
cannot  dance  even  a  quadrille." 

"  Oh  !     La  pauvrc,  c' est  i  rop  cnnuyant  !  " 

"  Parfaitetnent — et  sitrtout  to  refuse  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the 
Court." 

"  The  Pi-ince  of  Friul  .> " 

"Mais  Old  !" 

Countess  Moszyńska  doubted. 

"  What  a  pity  !  " 

The  second  fanfare  was  now  heard.  The  couples  began  to 
foiTn  in  fours,  the  scats  round  the  ballroom  grew  empty. 

The  Chamberlain  was  in  a  rage,  seeing  that  Murat  stood 
beside  Princess  Lubomirska,  Prince  Borghese  beside  the 
Countess    Lubieńska,    the    Duke    of   Bassano    was    conducting 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  103 

Krasińska^  Davoust  walked  aAvkwardly  with  Pani  Gutakowska, 
Talleyrand  kept  company  with  Pani  Sobolewska,  Prince  Joseph 
Poniatowski  offered  his  arai  to  Princess  Radziwil,  even  daughters 
and  wives  of  petty  noblemen  were  going  to  dance  with  generals 
and  other  superior  officers. 

The  orchestra  played  the  third  fanfare ;  Napoleon  moved 
slowly,  and  extended  his  arm  to  the  Countess  Alexandre 
Potocka. 

Darkness  covered  the  Chamberlain's  eyes. 

"The  Potockis  push  themselves  forward/'  said  the  Princess. 

"Anetka  with  the  Emperor!"  rejoined  the  Countess 
Moszyńska. 

"  But  who  is  the  Emperor's  vis-a-vis  ?  " 

"  In  such  a  crowd,  I  suppose,  as  it  happens — for  .  .   .'* 

The  Princess  had  no  time  to  finish  her  sentence,  for  suddenly 
Duroc  appeared  before  Pani  Walewska,  who  became  confused, 
while  the  Princess,  the  Chamberlain,  and  Countess  Moszyńska 
surrounded  her. 

"I  came  to  claim  the  promise  of  the  second  chance.  " 

Pani  Walewska  I'ose ;  Duroc  offered  her  his  arm,  and  con- 
ducted her  to  the  centre  of  the  ballroom,  where,  round  the 
Emperor,  according  to  Talleyrand's  indication,  the  couples  bear- 
ing the  most  distinguished  names  were  gathered. 

"  I  can  hardly  express,"  said  Duroc,  conducting  Pani 
Walewska,  "  how  happy  I  am  to  be  able  to  take  the  lieutenant's 
place." 

"  I  pitied  him  heartily." 

"  It  is  his  fault." 

"  I  do  not  understand,"  said  Pani  Walewska,  surpi-ised  at  the 
Marshal's  strange  intonation  of  his  words. 

Duroc  smiled  imperceptibly. 

"The  duties  of  the  ordnance  officers  in  the  Imperial  general 
staff  are  merciless." 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  get  over  her  uneasiness,  and  asked 
Duroc  :  "  With  whom  are  we  going  to  dance  ?  " 

"  Have  you  any  doubts  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know." 

"Do  you  think  that  you  will  be  peraiitted  to  dance  with 
any  one  else !     Excuse  me !     The  Master  of  the  Ceremonies, 


104  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

M.  de  Segur,  makes  a  sign !  Pray  be  so  kind — a  little  to  the 
left." 

"But  the  Emperor  is  going  to  dance  tlitre." 

"Precisely,  we  are  his  vis-A-vis." 

The  music  of  a  quadrille  sounded.  Napoleon,  with  the 
Countess  Alexandre  Potocka,  came  slowly  opposite  Duroc  and 
Pani  Walewska. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  could  hardly  hear  the  time  of  the 
music  ;  she  made  blunders  in  the  figures,  did  not  hear  the 
elegant  conversation  with  which  Duroc  tried  to  entertain  her, 
did  not  notice  looks  of  astonishment  directed  towai'ds  her  by 
other  couples. 

Pani  Walewska,  although  she  carried  her  head  high,  although 
her  wide-opened  eyes  showed  their  mysterious  depth,  seemed 
to  be  a  marble  figure.  In  her  delicately  chiselled  face  there 
was  not  one  drop  of  blood ;  her  half-opened  lips  seemed  to  be 
two  petals  of  a  white  rose ;  she  could  not  breathe. 

Sometimes  there  passed  before  her  a  green  uniforai,  the  red 
riband  of  the  Legion  of  Honour ;  but  the  sounds  of  the  orchestra, 
and  M.  de  Segur's  solemn  announcing  of  figures,  Duroc's  words, 
the  gliding  of  feet,  the  clatter  of  spurs,  and  noise  of  conversa- 
tion mingled  in  one  horrible  whirlpool. 

To  Pani  Walewska  thoughts  came,  the  remembrance  of  the 
modest  rooms  of  her  parents'  residence,  her  father's  stern  face, 
Paul's  never-forgotten  departure  to  the  Polish  Legion,  the  first 
meeting  with  Gorayski,  and  then  picture  after  picture  till 
Lieutenant  Bertrand's  departure. 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  understand  herself  the  reason  for 
the  stupor  which  oppressed  her.  She  tried  to  answer  Duroc ; 
she  even  moved  her  lips  ;  she  saw  that  the  Marshal  bent  quickly 
towards  her,  but  the  words  that  were  coming  changed  into  an 
imperceptible  whisper.  Suddenly  Pani  Walewska  felt  that 
Duroc  conducted  her  forward,  and  in  the  meanwhile  she  felt  a 
long,  nervous,  strong,  merciless  pressure  of  a  hand.  Pani 
Walewska  concentrated  her  faculties.  Napoleon  stood  in  front 
of  her. 

^'  Malheureuse  viciime  !  " 

"  Sire,"  stammered  poor  Pani  Walewska  in  a  whisper. 

"  Je  nai  vit  que  voiis." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  105 

The  blood  rushed  to  her  head  ;  Bonaparte's  look  burned  her, 
consumed  her.  The  Emperor  made  a  mistake  in  the  figure. 
Duroc  again  seized  Pani  Walewska's  hand. 

"How  do  you  Hke  my  dancing?"  Napoleon  asked  the 
Countess  Potocka  suddenly,  to  whom  he  had  not  said  a  word 
until  now. 

"  Sire  !  for  a  great  man  you  dance  wonderfully  well." 

"  But  not  for  a  partner  such  as  you  are." 

"Sire,  on  the  contrary." 

"  Who  is  that  lady  dancing  opposite .'' "  The  Countess 
Potocka  smiled  mahciously. 

Napoleon,  seeing  that  she  guessed  his  thoughts,  added 
quickly  :   "  How  do  you  like  her  ?  " 

"  Very  much,  were  it  not  for  her  dress." 

"  What  have  you  to  say  against  it .''  " 

"  Ah  !  Sire  !  It  is  too  simple  ;  but  it  is  not  her  fault.  She 
came  from  a  poor  family,  and  her  husband  is  not  a  spendthrift." 

Bonaparte  bit  his  lips.  "  But  you  have  a  whole  jeweller's 
shop  on  you." 

Anetka  Tyszkiewicz  grew  confused ;  her  usual  boldness  and 
wit  disappeared ;  the  dart,  instead  of  piercing  her  victim,  was 
turned  against  herself.     "  These  are  my  family  jewels,  Sire." 

"  Your  ancestors  would  have  done  better  to  spend  money  for 
keeping  an  army." 

"  In  such  a  solemn  moment !  .  .  ." 

"  You  could  get  along  without  such  solemnity." 

Anetka  wished  to  answer,  but  Napoleon  did  not  permit  her 
to  say  another  word ;  he  turned  and  looked  imperatively  at  M. 
de  Segur.  The  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  understood  that  look ; 
the  orchestra  played  a  march,  and  the  quadrille  was  ended. 

Napoleon  nodded  slightly  to  the  Countess  Potocka,  and  sat 
down  in  an  amichair  standing  near.  A  crowd  of  gorgeous  uni- 
forms surrounded  him  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

Talleyrand  rushed  again  with  a  glass  of  lemonade. 

The  Emperor  smiled  to  him,  and  said  kindly  :  "  Ah  !  lemonade. 
Yes  ;  with  pleasure.     Beautiful  ball !     Where  is  Berthier  ? " 

"  I  am  here.  Sire  !  "  responded  the  Marshal. 

"  You  quaiTclled  again  with  Davoust }  " 

"Sire!" 


106  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Do  not  deny  it — I  saw  it.  You  behave  like  schoolboys  ! 
Well,  -which  of  the  ladies  present  do  you  find  the  most 
beautiful  ?  " 

Berthier  smiled.  "Sire,  the  answer  is  not  difficult.  The 
Princess  Luboniirska." 

The  Emperor  made  a  grimace. 

"  I  suppose  because  she  reminds  you  of  Madame  ^Valcwska .''  " 

Berthier  was  confused.  "  Yes,  certainly.  Sire ;  that  is  what 
I  meant ! "  said  Berthier,  much  surprised ;  and  having  seized 
the  opportunity  when  the  Emperor  was  talking  to  the  Duke  of 
Bassano,  he  disappeared  amongst  the  crowd  of  evening  dresses 
and  uniforais,  asking  about  Pani  Walewska  in  order  to  assure 
her  of  his  admiration. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Napoleon's  eyes  wandered  inquisitively 
round  the  ballroom,  resting  on  the  spot  where  Pani  Walewska, 
surrounded  by  numerous  uniforms,  answered  as  best  she  could 
the  enthusiastic  compliments  of  General  Montbrun  and  the 
Master  of  the  Horse,  Colonel  Durosnel. 

A  vertical  fold  appeared  between  Bonaparte's  eyebrows. 

"  Duroc  !     Wliere  is  Duroc  ?  " 

The  Prince  of  Friul  stood  erect.  The  Emperor  rapped  the 
arm  of  the  chair.     Duroc  bent. 

"  Montbrun  to  Danzig,  under  Lefebvi-e's  command ;  Durosnel 
shall  return  to  Paris.     At  once  !  " 

Duroc  saluted.  The  commander  crossed  the  ballroom. 
Montbrun  and  Durosnel  disappeared  from  the  circle  of  Pani 
Walewska's  admirers,  to  the  great  pleasure  of  Count  Herceau, 
who,  notwithstanding  trouble  and  confusion  among  the  officers, 
drew  near  Pani  Walewska,  and  with  all  the  freedom  of  a  courtier 
who  had  spent  half  his  life  at  Versailles,  began  to  entertain  her 
with  his  conversation. 

"  How  do  you  like  the  ball  ? " 

"Very  much  ;  it  is  very  interesting." 

"  Undoubtedly.  An  interesting  hal  masqite — Jacobins  play- 
ing court !  You  understand  how  much  we  suffer  from  that 
parody.  I  do  not  say  anything  against  the  Emperor,  but  those 
who  surround  him.  One  could  count  the  true  noblemen  on  ten 
fingers." 

"  1  understand  your  dislike  as  an  emigrant,  and  the  Bourbons' 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  107 

partisan.  You  must^  however^  avow  that  France  never  has  been 
as  mighty  as  she  is  now." 

"Yes;  but  those " 

"  It  is  they  that  have  made  her  so  great.    Do  you  not  think  so .''  " 

"1\  At  this  moment  I  only  know  that  I  love.  I  am  so  in- 
toxicated that^  although  I  know  it  is  wrongs  I  do  not  think  of 
giving  up." 

Count  Herceau  half  closed  his  eyesj  began  to  turn  one  finger 
round  the  others ;  his  large  mouth  smiled^  and  he  waited  for  an 
answer. 

At  that  moment  there  appeared  before  the  Count  Herceau 
the  tall  figure  of  the  Chamberlain  d'Hedouville. 

"  MadamCj  will  you  excuse  me  ?  Count,  the  Prince  of  Bene- 
vento  begs  a  few  minutes'  conversation  with  you." 

Herceau  hastened  to  answer :  "  I  am  at  M.  de  Perigord's 
service." 

M.  d'Hedouville  was  not  satisfied  with  this  answer.  He  was 
shocked  by  the  tone  of  the  reply,  which  sounded  like  the 
Count's  independence,  for  he  said — 

"The  Prince  wdshes  to  see  you  at  once  on  a  matter  of  im- 
portance." 

Herceau  moved  slowly. 

"Madame,  pray  excuse  me.  M.  d'Hedouville,  you  have  not 
any  idea  how  much  I  sacrifice  just  now  to  M.  de  Perigord." 

The  Count  bowed  to  Pani  Walewska  in  a  courtly  way,  and 
followed  M.  d'Hedouville,  wondering  inwardly  at  the  unexpected 
invitation. 

When  the  Count  was  going  to  leave  the  ballroom,  it  seemed 
to  him  that  he  noticed  the  Prince  of  Benevento,  and  therefore 
he  stopped. 

"It  seems  that  M.  de  Perigord  is  here." 

"  It  may  be ;  but  he  asked  you  to  be  kind  enough  to  come  to 
his  study.     He  ynW.  come  presently." 

Herceau  looked  hesitatingly  at  M.  d'Hedouville. 

"Are  you  sure  ?" 

"Certainly.    Be  so  kind  !  "  said  M.  d'Hedouville  persistently. 

Herceau  sighed  and  followed,  not  a  little  astonished  at  the 
miexpected  affair  which  Talleyrand  wished  to  communicate  to 
him. 


108  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

In  the  Count's  mind  there  rose  a  crowd  of  suppositions. 

Talleyrand  needed  him.  .  .  .  Talleja-and  wished  to  win 
him.  .  .  .  Talleyi'and  must  have  heard  of  the  Herceaus.  He 
needed  men  with  good  names,  familiar  with  the  local  conditions 
of  the  country. 

The  Count  felt  so  exalted  by  the  mission  undoubtedly  ex- 
pected of  him  that  he  said  to  M.  d'Hedouville  indulgently — 

"  Ah,  that  de  Perigord !  What  a  bother  I  have  with  that 
de  Perigord !     It  is  always  thus  with  him." 

M.  d'Hedouville  looked  askance  at  Herceau. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Well,  always  some  affairs,  always  urgent  business.  But  .  .  . 
where  are  we  going  to .'' " 

"To  that  room  to  the  left." 

"Ah,  yes;  it  is  true,"  affirmed  Herceau,  wishing  M. 
d'Hedouville  to  understand  that  it  was  not  the  first  time  he 
had  been  there. 

M.  d'Hedouville  did  not  answer,  but  conducted  Herceau  to  a 
small,  square  room,  in  which  two  lieutenants  of  the  guard  were 
sitting  in  full  uniform.  They  rose  quickly  at  the  sight  of 
M.  d'Hedouville,  who  greeted  them  kindly,  and  introduced 
them  to  Herceau. 

"  M.  Rousseau.     M.  de  la  Rochefoucauld." 

"  Delighted ! " 

"  Permit  me  to  leave  you.  Count.  The  Pi-ince  of  Benevonto 
will  be  here  presently." 

Before  Count  Herceau  could  answer,  M.  d'Hedouville,  having 
said  a  few  words  to  Lieutenant  Rousseau,  disappeared. 

Count  Herceau  began  to  walk  across  the  room,  not  paying 
any  attention  to  the  two  officers  whispering  aside. 

The  room  in  which  they  asked  Count  Herceau  to  wait 
appeared  to  him  rather  peculiar  for  the  waiting-room  of  a 
Prime  Minister,  because,  besides  a  fireplace,  a  table,  a  sofa,  and 
a  couple  of  chairs,  there  was  no  other  furniture. 

Count  Herceau,  however,  recollected  that  the  Prime  Minister 
was  only  here  accidentally  and  for  a  short  time,  and  then  he 
again  tried  to  guess  the  reason  which  caused  M.  de  Perigord  to 
ask  him  so  suddenly  for  an  interview. 

In  the  meanwhile,  time  was   passing,  and   Count   Herceau 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  109 

»egan  to  look  impatiently  at  his  bomb-like  watch,  and  to  walk 
Qore  and  more  quickly  up  and  down  the  room  ;  finally  he 
topped  abruptly,  looked  at  the  officers,  and  said — 

"  M.  Perigord  does  not  come  !  " 

"^The  Prince  is  occupied  !  "  answered  Rousseau  phlegmatically. 

"Bah!  .  .  .  His  Majesty  has  not  left  yet,"  added  de  la 
Rochefoucauld. 

Herceau  opened  his  eyes  wide. 

"  H'm  !  .   .  .  Yes,  but  he  was  coming." 

"Then  he  will  come." 

"  Perhaps  you  would  like  something  to  drink  or  to  eat ;  we 
lave  everything  at  your  disposition." 

'^No,  thank  you,  it  is  too  late." 

"  It  is  true." 

"  Perhaps  M.  de  Perigord  will  not  come  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  doubt  that  he  will." 

"  But  I  cannot  wait  any  longer ;  pray,  tell  him  that  I  waited, 
iut  I  shall  see  him  in  the  ballroom.     Good-bye." 

The  officers  looked  at  each  other  significantly,  and  barred 
;he  way. 

"  Count,  you  must  excuse " 

"Count,  I  am  sure  you  will  not  refuse." 

"  The  Prince  begged  of  you  to  be  kind  enough  to  wait." 

"One  moment  more.     The  Prince  will  be  so  sorry." 

Herceau,  after  a  minute's  hesitation,  gave  in.  The  officers 
;ried  to  surpass  each  other  in  politeness,  asking  him  again  to 
lave  something  to  drink. 

The  Count  thanked  them,  but  could  hardly  master  his  irrita- 
;ion.  Finally,  in  order  to  pass  the  time,  he  began  to  chat  with 
;he  officers. 

"What  are  you  doing  here  ?  " 

"  Oh,  nothing  !     On  duty.  .  .  ." 

"  Such  is  our  luck  !     The  day  of  the  ball." 

"All  our  comrades  are  there  !  " 

"  And  such  an  opportunity  happens  very  seldom.  ..." 

"  Yes,  but  you  must  ? " 

"  Yes,  twenty-four  hours  in  full  uniform." 

"Sometimes  there  is  nothing  to  do,  and  sometimes  courier 
ifter  courier  comes  in.     You  will  see,  as  soon  as  the  Emperor 


110  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

returns,  at  least  for  two  liours  the  door  will  not  close.  .  .  • 
Sometimes  the  Emperor  works  till  daybreak.  .  .  ." 

"  Yes,  so  I  have  heard.    And  this  room?   What  is  it  used  for?" 

"  This  room  ?  It  is  for  the  orderly  officers  ;  it  communicates 
by  a  corridor  on  the  riglit  with  the  office,  and  to  the  left  are 
stairs  conducting  to  the  guard-rooms." 

This  news  was  disagreeable  to  Count  Herceau  ;  they  made 
him  wait  in  a  room  destined  for  service. 

He  niade  a  movement.  "  I  beg  to  thank  you  for  your  com- 
pany, but  I  cannot  wait  any  longer.     Good-bye." 

Rochefoucauld  bowed  elegantly. 

"  You  will  not  deprive  us  of  the  pleasure  .   .  ." 

"I  do  not  understand  ..." 

"  You  will  be  kind  enough  to  stay." 

"  No,  I  must  postpone  the  pleasure  of  seeing  M.  de  Perigord." 

"The  Prince  wished  to-day  .  .   ." 

"  I  shall  see  him  in  the  ballroom  !     Good-bye  !  " 

Herceau  turned  to  the  door,  but  Lieutenant  Rousseau  barred 
it,  and  said  emphatically :  "  You  will  be  kind  enough  to  stay 
with  us." 

"  I  would  do  it  v/ith  pleasure,  but  I  must  return  to  the  ball." 

"  It  will  end  at  any  moment." 

"  So  much  more  reason  .  .  ." 

"It  is  of  no  consequence  .  .    " 

"That  concerns  me.  .       .   Permit  me  !  " 

Rousseau  did  not  budge.     "  You  will  remain  with  us." 

"What?"  stammered  Herceau,  who  only  now  noticed  the 
lieutenant's  determined  tone. 

"  You  will  stay  here,"  said  Rochefoucauld.     "  Pray,  be  seated." 

"  I  will  not  stay  !  "  burst  out  Herceau. 

"  In  that  case  we  shall  be  obliged  to  use  force." 

"  What !     Then  it  is  violence  ?  " 

"  No.     Only  when  you  refuse  our  request." 

Herceau  sat  on  the  sofa,  and  put  his  perfumed  handkerchief 
to  his  nose.  He  could  not  doubt  but  that  he  was  caught  and 
imprisoned. 

After  a  short  space  he  recovered  his  self-possession,  and  said : 
"  It  must  be  a  mistake." 

"  Probably." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  111 

"  Then  I  do  not  understand  the  reason.  ...  I  must  be  going 
to  the  ball.  I  cannot  refuse  myself  such  a  pleasure.  I  am  a 
Frenchman,  as  you  are  !  Upon  my  honour !  .  .  .  Do  not  deprive 
me  of  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Emperor." 

Rousseau  smiled  ironically. 

''  Is  it  true  that  you  .   .  .  are  so  anxious  ?  " 

"  Upon  my  word  !  " 

"  I  was  told  that  as  an  emigrant  you  were  a  faithful  adherent 
of  the  Bourbons." 

''I?  I  ?  What  an  idea  !  I  left  the  country  because  the 
storm  was  too  violent  .  .  .  for  the  sake  of  peace.  But  as  for 
the  Bourbons ! " 

"  But  it  was  said  so,"  rejoined  la  Rochefoucauld,  winking  at 
Rousseau. 

"  Gossip !  Upon  my  honour  !  gossip !  1 1  The  Emperor  has 
but  few  such  admirers  .  .  .  for  I  say  nothing !  I  keep  aside, 
admire  and  say  nothing  !  " 

"That  is  true  !  "  affirmed  the  officers. 

Herceau  looked  uneasily  towards  the  door,  and  tried  to 
parley. 

"Evidently  a  mistake.  ...  I  was  talking  with  Prince 
Borghese,  when  Chamberlain  d'Hedouville  said  to  me  that 
M.  de  Perigord  ...  I  mean  the  Prince  of  Benevento.  There- 
fore, naturally  .  .  .  He  was  coming  here  ...  I  was  waiting. 
.  .  .  But  now,  I  do  not  understand." 

"  But  it  is  so  clear,"  said  Rousseau.     "  You  must  wait  still." 

"  But  you  said  yourself  that  pi-obably  the  Prince  of  Benevento 
is  busy." 

"There  is  no  doubt  about  it." 

"Then  ..." 

"  You  stay  mth  us." 

"  But  I  cannot.     I  will  not !  " 

"  That  does  not  change  the  situation." 

"  Then  you  wish  to  commit  violence .'' " 

"  Not  at  all,  only  v/e  will  take  the  liberty  to  stop  you." 

"  Even  by  force  ?  " 

"You  are  too  well-bred  to  force  us  to  do  that." 

Herceau  dropped  his  head,  and  began  to  turn  one  of  his 
fingers  round  the  other. 


112  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

When  this  happened,  Pani  Walewska,  left  to  herself,  took 
advantage  of  the  groups  of  people  chatting  together  to  nod  to 
her  husband,  and  ask  him  to  give  her  his  arm. 

The  Chamberlain  gallantly  did  as  he  was  asked. 

"What  do  jou  wish,  my  dear.^" 

"I  wish  to  go  to  a  side  drawing-room." 

"But  is  it  proper .>  You  were  not  introduced  to  His  Majesty. 
Pei-haps  there  will  be  a  chance  .  .  ." 

''But  permit  me  ..." 

"  If  you  wish  absolutely.  .  .  .  Pray !  .  .  .  You  have  no  ex- 
perience. How  lucky  it  was  about  the  quadrille.  Princess 
Radziwil  congratulated  me  a  while  ago.  General  astonishment. 
It  -vvlll  be  still  greater  !     Still  greater  !  " 

Pani  WalcAvska  did  not  listen  to  her  husband's  words,  wishing 
to  avoid  as  soon  as  possible  the  eyes  which  were  persecut- 
ing her. 

In  the  doonvay  leading  to  a  side  room.  Pan  and  Pani 
Walewski  met  the  Countess  Alexandre  Potocka  Avith  M.  Flahaut 
and  a  young  officer,  Prince  Ornano. 

"  What  good  luck  !  "  exclaimed  the  Countess  Potocka.  "  We 
were  just  talking  about  you,  dear.  Allow  me.  .  ,  .  Prince 
Ornano." 

Pani  Walewska  had  hardly  time  to  answer  Prince  Ornano's 
bow,  when  Countess  Potocka  pulled  her  aside,  laughing. 

"Pray  excuse  me.  .  .  .  We  women  always  have  some  secrets! 
My  dearest!  I  had  not  a  moment  during  the  quadrille.  I 
Avanted  so  much  to  see  you  !     You  were  unwell  ?  " 

"  Yes,  a  little." 

"0,  mon  Dieu!"  prattled  on  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz  continuously 
"  But  you  are  looking  charming.  I  am  so  glad.  What  a  lovely 
fi-ock  you  have  !  I  would  only  make  one  fold  .  .  .  here 
from  the  shoulders.  I  do  admire  you.  Classical  idea  !  Every- 
body does  not  admire  it.  L'Empereitr  !  Did  you  notice  }  He 
simply  emban-assed  me.  He  is  accustomed  to  easy  victories  !  I 
made  him  understand.  Ah  !  your  dress  instated  him  !  I  could 
hardly  explain  to  him.  ...  In  matters  of  the  beautiful  he  is 
very  simple.  Let  me  kiss  you !  Is  it  true  that  he  gave  you 
a  rendezvous  in  Jabłonna.?  No!  I  thought  so.  They  gossip. 
They  will  say  anything.     Have  you  heard  about  Lubomirska? 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  113 

We  must  return  to  the  gentlemen.     I  was  talking  about  you, 
M.  Flahaut." 

The  aide-de-camp  of  the  Staff  bowed. 

"I  can  only  thank  you." 

''  Pani  Walewska  thinks  you  are  sentimental ! " 

'^Anetka!" 

"  Do  you  deny  it  already .-'  " 

"  Can  one  be  different  here .''  One  must  surrender  at  every 
moment." 

"  M.  Flahaut,  you  are  talking  about  sun'ender  !     Terais  ?  " 

"  I  am  ready  to  accept  the  most  onerous  !  " 

"  And  you.  Chamberlain  }     Always  full  of  life  and  vigour  !  " 

"  Our  genei'ation,"  began  the  Chamberlain  pompously,  but 
Anetka  did  not  permit  him  to  finish,  and  turned  to  Prince 
Ornano. 

"  I  did  as  you  wished  !  I  am  very  glad  to  be  a  good  fairy  to 
you." 

"  Madame  ! " 

"  Yes,  Marie !  The  Prince  burned  with  the  desire  of  being 
introduced  to  you  !     Where  are  you  bound  to  .''  " 

"It  is  very  wann  in  the  ballroom,"  explained  the  Chamber- 
lain. 

"  And  Ave  are  going  there.  Prince !  Take  advantage  of  the 
opportunity,  and  offer  your  arm  to  Mme.  Walewska." 

Ornano  rushed  boldly  to  the  Chamberlain's  wife. 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  grimace,  but  Anetka  whispered  in 
his  ear,  smiling  maliciously:  "The  Emperor's  cousin." 

The  Chamberlain  looked  doubtfully  at  Countess  Potocka,  but 
she  nodded  affirmatively,  and  said  aloud — 

"  Old,  Old)  cest  vrai  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  looked  respectfully  at  the  officer  walking 
beside  his  wife,  and  returned  to  the  ballroom. 

Pani  Walewska  walked,  conducted  by  Prince  Ornano,  not 
even  trying  to  break  the  unpleasant  silence.  Countess  Potocka's 
words  wounded  her,  and  filled  her  with  bitterness.  She  tried 
in  vain  to  explain  to  herself  why  people  were  so  spiteful  to  her, 
why  Anetka  was  so  malicious,  how  they  could  make  up  such 
horrid  slander  as  was  that  about  her  rendezvous  with  the 
Emperor. 
I 


114  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

In  the  meanwhile  she  reproached  herself  with  not  having 
answered  ;  with  not  having  shaken  off  the  timidity  of  the 
country  girl ;  with  being  unable  to  face  the  drawing-room  con- 
versation, ahvays  apparently  so  sweet  but  in  reality  full  of 
wormwood ;  with  having  no  good  answers  at  command  at  the 
moment ;  and  being  unable  to  hide  stings  in  silky  words  and 
sweet  kisses  as  Anetka  did. 

Prince  Ornano  conducted  Pani  Walewska  through  a  suite  of 
drawing-rooms,  turning  from  time  to  time  to  her  as  if  wishing  to 
catch  a  thread  to  begin  a  conversation. 

The  silence  continued.  Pani  Walewska,  absorbed  by  her 
thoughts,  did  not  feel  its  weight ;  as  for  the  heutenant,  he 
seemed  to  be  doubly  embarrassed.  Several  times  he  opened  his 
mouth,  but  his  voice  did  not  come,  and  only  a  blush  testified  to 
the  young  Prince's  timidity. 

They  came  to  the  last  drawing-room,  and  the  natural  limit 
forced  the  Prince  to  interrupt  the  silence. 

"Will  you  allow  me  .  .  .  we  must  ..." 

Pani  Walewska  shivered  slightly,  and  having  noticed  a  small 
sofa  in  the  comer,  dropped  the  lieutenant's  arm  and  went 
towai'ds  it. 

The  Prince  followed  her,  but  not  being  invited  to  sit  on  the 
sofa,  he  stood  beside  it  fingering  his  big  bearskin,  and  looked 
hesitatingly  towards  the  Chamberlain's  wife. 

"  I  am  afraid  I  importune  you  }  " 

Pani  Walewska,  hearing  the  lieutenant's  voice,  turned  and 
looked  at  him  in  surprise,  unable  to  recollect  where  she  had  met 
him,  and  how  she  came  to  be  with  him,  and  what  was  his 
name. 

"But  not  at  all!"  said  Pani  Walewska,  thinking  it  was  her 
duty  to  protest. 

"It  seemed  so  to  me!"  stammered  Ornano,  and  became 
silent,  blushing  up  to  his  eyes. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  with  interest  at  the  lieutenant  and 
blushed  also.  He  appeared  to  her  quite  different  from  those 
haughty  satellites  of  the  Emperor,  the  blusterers  on  the  Staff,  so 
confident  in  their  epaulettes  and  crosses.  Napoleon's  eaglets. 

Nobleness  showed  itself  even  in  the  lieutenant's  movements, 
which  were  awkward  and  full  of  modesty,  while  braA^ery,  manli- 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  115 

ness,  and  strength  shone  from  his  serene  forehead,  suri'ounded 
by  raven  black  hair. 

Pani  Walewska  felt  something  like  remorse  for  her  lack  of 
attention. 

"  It  is  rather  I  who  should  apologise  for  my  company  .  .  ." 

"  On  the  contrary^  Madame  !  "  interrupted  the  lieutenant,  and, 
having  met  Pani  Walewska's  look,  dropped  his  eyes,  and  again 
fingered  his  bearskin. 

"But,"  said  Pani  Walewska  to  justify  herself,  "sometimes 
one  is  thoughtful." 

Ornano  nodded  affiimatively. 

"If  I  am  not  mistaken,  you  serve  in  the  Guards.  It  is  so 
difficult  to  remember  all  the  uniforms,"  said  Pani  Walewska  again. 

"Yes,  I  am  a  lieutenant  of  the  Chasseurs  a  Cheval  of  the 
Guard ! "  said  Ornano,  solemnly  stretching  his  tall,  well-shaped 
figure,  and  putting  his  hand  to  his  upper  hp  on  which  a  dark 
down  announced  the  moustaches. 

'^  I  see  that  now.  Chasseurs  a  Cheval  of  the  Guard  !  It  is  the 
uniform  which  the  Emperor  likes  the  best !     Although  .  .  ." 

"  Yes,  Madame ;  the  Emperor  wears  a  uniform  more  cut  away, 
and  a  white  waistcoat  instead  of  our  green,  then  white  .  .  . 
and  slippers  ...  for  the  rest,  the  same  uniform." 

Pani  Walewska  smiled,  the  lieutenant  blushed,  but  the  bash- 
fulness  of  the  officer  began  to  amuse  her. 

"  And  Lieutenant  Bertrand,  is  he  in  the  same  regiment  with 
you  >  " 

"  No,  Madame  ;  he  is  on  Marshal  Berthier's  general  staff." 

"  Ah,  yes !  You  must  excuse  my  ignorance !  I  mention 
M.  Bertrand,  for  I  pitied  him  very  much.  Imagine,  a  few 
minutes  before  the  quadrille,  he  was  commanded  to  go  to 
Silesia !  Awful !  From  a  ball  on  horseback,  and  for  such  a 
journey !     The  service  on  the  general  staff  must  be  very  hard." 

"It  varies!  Although  with  Bertrand  .  .  ,"  The  lieutenant 
stopped  suddenly. 

"  You  wished  to  say  something .''  " 

"  Yes.     Perhaps  better  not." 

"Is  it  a  secret.''" 

"  Everybody  knows  it ;  but  you  must  excuse  me,  I  prefer  to 
be  silent  than  tell  a  lie." 


116  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  And  if  I  ask  you  to  tell  me  the  truth  ?  " 

"  Then  I  do  not  know^  but  ,  .  .  And  then_,  for  what  do  you 
need  that  news  ?     Ours  .  .  .  service  afiairs." 

"  Undoubtedly^  but  you  aroused  my  curiosity  by  telling  me 
that  everybody  knows." 

"  Because,  Madame,  I  said  too  much  unnecessarily ! "  said 
Ornano  frankly,  and  became  silent. 

Pani  Walewska  was  still  more  puzzled  by  a  peculiar  intona- 
tion which  she  noticed  in  his  voice,  and  said — 

"  It  is  too  late  now  to  go  back  on  your  word." 

"  No,  no,  Madame  !  "  The  lieutenant  defended  himself,  look- 
ing round.  "  You  must  excuse  me !  Let  somebody  else  tell 
you." 

*^' Suppose  I  beg  you  veiy  earnestly.''" 

"  Then  I  do  not  know.  You  will  be  angry  with  me.  ...  I 
would  not  like  to  hurt  your  feelings.  They  said  .  .  .  perhaps 
there  is  not  a  word  of  truth  in  it,  although  .  .  ."  Ornano  grew 
more  and  more  confused.  Pani  Walewska  insisted ;  he  hesitated 
still  a  while.  Finally,  being  unable  to  resist  any  longer,  said 
abruptly  :  "Bertrand  was  sent  away  because  of  you  !  " 

"  Because  of  me  ? "  repeated  Pani  Walewska,  Avith  astonish- 
ment. 

Ornano  grew  crimson. 

''Yes  ...  it  is  ...  I  do  not  know  myself.  Perhaps  it  is 
only  gossip.     It  must  be  !  " 

"  I  must  insist  on  your  explaining  youi'self." 

"  I  did  not  express  myself  well.  It  is  not  exactly  you,  but 
the  quadrille  was  the  cause." 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

The  lieutenant  breathed  heavily,  and  began  to  talk  quickly. 

"  It  is  Bertrand's  fault !  He  dared  to  ask  you  for  a  quadrille 
without  having  asked  M.  de  Segur  whether  he  might  do  so ! 
It  is  Bertrand's  fault !  It  was  in  the  programme  that  you  were 
going  to  dance  vis-^-vis  with  the  Emperor !  Marshal  Duroc 
could  not  do  otherwise.  Bertrand  Avas  not  on  the  service  list, 
but  as  he  was  guilty  they  changed  the  order,  and  sent  him 
away." 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  know  what  to  answer.  Ornano  tried 
to  lessen  the  weight  of  his  words :  "  Bertrand  acted  carelessly. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  117 

He  should  remember  that  there  was  a  programme;  he  was  in 
Duroc's  way  ! " 

"I  pity  M.  Bertrand." 

"  He  was  well  rewarded." 

''In  what  way  ?  " 

"  He  had  the  honour  of  talking  with  you  .  .  ,  he  was  one  of 
the  first.  ...  Is  it  not  enough  ?  After  that^  let  come  the  worst 
of  orders,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

Ornano  said  the  last  words  with  such  enthusiasm  that  Pani 
Walewska  shivered. 

"\  thank  you  for  such  a  compliment." 

"It  is  not  a  compliment,  it  is  the  truth,  upon  the  word  of 
an  officer! " 

The  lieutenant  stopped  suddenly,  and  still  more  than  before 
fingered  his  bearskin. 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  be  severe  for  his  daring,  but  having 
looked  at  his  sincere  face,  stopped  in  the  first  syllable  of  her 
phrase,  and  having  dropped  her  eyes,  she  played  with  her  fan. 

"Perhaps  .   .  .   I  .  .   ." 

Pani  Walewska  raised  her  eyes.  The  lieutenant  put  his  chin 
in  the  large  red  collar  of  his  unifoiTn,  and  again  said  with 
determination  :  "  Madame,  pray  forgive  me.  ,  .  .  I  did  not  wish 
to  hurt  your  feelings.  ...  I  would  not  dare.  .   .  ." 

*'  I  am  not  angry,  only  if  my  request  carries  any  weight      .  ." 

''  Command  me  !  " 

''  Give  up  those  Court  ways." 

"\  swear  to  you  that  it  is  the  honest  truth." 

"  So  much  the  more  I  could  not  listen  to  it." 

The  lieutenant  grew  sad  suddenly. 

"  Yes,  it  is  true." 

"  But  I  do  not  wonder  .  .  .  you  are  searching  for  impressions  ; 
the  more  camp  life  takes  you  away  from  society,  the  more  you 
take  advantage  of  every  opportunity.  Perhaps  you  do  not  know 
yourself,  that  unwittingly  you  fall  into  the  same  tones,  common- 
place gallantry,  half  words,  tender  looks,  sighings.  You  address 
youx'self  to  every  side  ;  it  seems  to  you  that  the  admiration  which 
they  have  here  for  your  uniforms  allows  you  to  trample  .  .  ." 

"Madame  !  "  whispered  the  lieutenant,  with  sincere  terror. 

Pani  Walewska  laughed. 


118  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"You  must  not  take  all  that  to  yourself.  I  do  not  under- 
stand myself  where  all  that  came  to  me  from.  I  do  believe 
that  you  think  differently.  How  long  is  it  since  you  joined  the 
army  ? " 

"  More  than  one  year ;  when  I  left  school." 

"  And  always  with  the  Emperor  ?  It  must  be  a  great  happi- 
ness to  remain  at  the  side  of  such  a  great  man." 

The  lieutenant's  eyes  shone. 

"There  is  a  sergeant  in  our  regiment  who  speaks  to  the 
Emperor  as  '  thou  ! '  And  the  Emperor  knows  every  one  of  his 
soldiers  by  name.  When  he  is  in  a  good  humour  we  call  him 
simply  'Little  Corporal.'  " 

"  I  can  imagine  how  the  regiment  must  love  him !  " 

"Our  regiment  of  Chasseurs  a  ChcvalP  But  we  are  always 
\vith  him  and  round  him  !  In  his  headquarters^  at  the  reviews, 
on  the  roadSj  on  the  battlefield,  day  and  night !  Nothing  can 
happen  without  the  Chasseurs  a  Cheval  of  the  Guard.  Grenadiers, 
dragoons,  would  like  to  be  in  our  place — in  vain.  We  are 
always  at  the  head,  we  are  always  first !  And  there  is  not  one 
amongst  us  who  would  not  permit  himself  to  be  cut  in  pieces 
for  him,  Avho,  at  his  sign,  would  not  jump  over  a  precipice,  who 
would  not  sacrifice  everything  for  him." 

Ornano  here  met  Pani  Walewska's  eyes  looking  at  him  with 
interest,  and  grew  pale. 

"Who  would  not  sacrifice  for  him  everything,"  he  repeated, 
with  less  assurance. 

"  With  such  an  army  to  conquer  .  .  ." 

"  He  must !  "  ended  the  lieutenant,  with  conviction. 

"  Permit  me,  Marie,  the  Prince  of  Neufchatel ! "  resounded 
suddenly  in  the  Chamberlain's  hoarse  voice. 

Berthier  stood  before  her.  The  lieutenant  stretched  himself 
like  a  cord,  and  withdrew  respectfully. 

"  Madame,  for  an  hour  I  have  been  searching  for  the  oppor- 
tunity of  presenting  my  homage.  .  ,  ." 

"Monsieur!  .  .  ." 

"I  am  happy  beyond  words." 

"To  meet  a  man  of  such  merits  is  an  honour  to  me." 

"  Have  I  deserved  such  a  compliment }  "  answered  Berthier, 
and  turning  to  the  Chamberlain   he  shook  hii»  by  the  hand. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  119 

and  added :  "  To  be  at  the  ball,  and  not  to  be  presented  to 
you." 

"  Do  I  not  disturb  ?  "    Duroc's  voice  was  heard  in  the  doorway. 

"  Pray,  come  in ! "  invited  the  Chamberlain.  The  Marshal 
of  the  Court  looked  sharply  round. 

"Now  I  do  not  wonder  at  your  desertion.  Marshal.  .  .  . 
His  Majesty  asked  after  you." 

" His  Majesty .'' "  repeated  Berthier  with  emotion.  "Excuse 
me,  pray  ...  I  must " 

Duroc  looked  after  the  disappearing  Berthier. 

"  It  must  cost  him  much  !  I  am  very  sorry  that  I  deprived 
him  of  such  charming  company." 

"You  are  mistaken,"  said  Pani  Walewska  quickly.  "The 
Prince  of  Neufchatel  was  introduced  to  me  by  my  husband  only 
a  few  moments  ago." 

"  But  it  is  a  century  since  you  left  the  ballroom.  Have  we 
deserved  such  a  long  absence — such  an  egotism  }  " 

"The  egotism  was  very  agreeable  to  me." 

"Did  you  not  tell  me  that  you  admired  our  uniforms  so  much  ?" 

"I  do  not  forget  them.  The  best  witness  is  the  officer 
present  here,  with  whom  I  was  talking  about  the  army." 

Duroc  turned  round,  put  his  lorgnon  to  his  eyes,  and  said 
through  his  teeth — 

"  Ah  !  .  .  .  Lieutenant  Ornano .''     Is  it  so  }  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  affirmed  the  officer,  growing  crimson. 

"  Ah  !  ,  .  .  I  thought  that  you  were  on  duty  to-day  ? " 

"  No,  sir,  the  seventh  company." 

"  Are  you  in  the  first  ?  " 

"  In  the  second,  sir." 

"  So-o-o  !  Madame,  will  you  be  kind  enough  to  pass  to  the  ball- 
room ?     The  menuet  is  on  the  programme." 

"  I  do  not  dance." 

"  But  it  is  M.  de  Perigord's  speciality.  We  must  not  deprive 
him  of  applause.  Then,"  added  Duroc  in  a  low  voice,  "there 
in  the  ballroom ;  the  sun  disappeared,  and  there  is  a  fearful 
storm  raging — darkness  covers  everything  and  everybody." 

"Permit  me,  my  dearest,"  said  the  Chamberlain;  "the  Princess 
Dominik  Radziwil  asked  after  you  several  times.  You  cannot 
neglect  her." 


120  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska  rose  and  put  her  arm  unwillingly  under  her 
husband's. 

Duroc  made  believe  that  he  had  not  seen  that  manoeuvre, 
andj  having  let  the  Chamberlain  and  his  wife  pass  in  front  of 
him,  nodded  to  the  lieutenant,  and  said  negligently — 

"  Which  Prince  commands  to-day  at  headquarters  ?  " 

"General-Colonel  of  the  Guard,  Marshal  Davoust,  Prince 
d'Auerstaedt,"  reported  Ornano. 

"  Prince  d'Auerstaedt !  Very  well !  Find  him,  and  give  him 
this  note." 

"  According  to  ox'der." 

Duroc  followed  Pani  Walewska.  The  Chamberlain,  who 
noticed  Duroc's  conversation  with  Ornano,  whispered  to  his 
wife — 

"  It  is  certain  they  will  send  him  to  Danzig." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  him  astonished. 

"Whom?     Where  to .>" 

The  Chamberlain  laughed  quietly. 

"  Well  .   .  .  that  .  .   .  that  Prince." 

"  I  do  not  understand  !  " 

"  I  tell  you  he  will  go  !  Notice,  Bertrand,  Montbx-un,  then 
Durosnel,  and  now  that  .  .  .  what's  his  name .''  He  deserves 
it  ...  he  imagined  that  Pani  Colonna  Walewska  .   .   ." 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  yet  understand  her  husband. 

"But  what  can  all  this  have  in  common  with  me ? " 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  You  do  not  understand  yet.  Then  talk 
with  one  of  those  madcaps  of  the  general  staff,  and  you  shall 
see  the  effect.  Very  well !  They  deserved  it !  In  the  begin- 
ning I  did  not  know  myself  what  it  meant,  only  Talleyrand  told 
me  !  They  must  be  at  a  respectful  distance  !  They  must  know 
,  .  .  even  .  .  ." 

The  noise  of  the  music  drowned  his  words. 

Pani  Walewska  found  herself  in  her  former  place,  between 
Princess  Jabłonowska  and  Countess  Moszyńska. 

"Ah,  chćrie!"  began  the  Princess  in  a  reproachful  tone. 
"  Where  have  you  been  hiding  }  How  could  you  deprive  your- 
self of  such  a  magnificent  spectacle  ?  Have  you  heard }  ■  ^  , 
They  say  that  for  certain  Murat  will  be  our  king." 

"Murat.?  .  .  ." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  121 

'^Yes^  or  Davoust!  They  Scay  that  the  Emperor's  brother, 
Jerome,  would  Hke  also,  but  that  the  Emperor  does  not  wish  it. 
Well,  Murat  will  represent  well,  only,  as  it  seems,  he  is  very 
impetuous  and  passionate." 

"That  does  not  matter!"  said  Countess  Moszyńska. 

"  Of  course,  but  it  is  very  unpleasant  for  our  Pepi,  for  Murat 
is  from  the  peasants" — there  the  Princess  bent  towards  Pani 
Walewska — "  Marie,  the  Emperor  is  looking  at  you  through  his 
lorgnon." 

Pani  Walewska  raised  her  head  and  noticed  that  the  Emperor 
was  directing  his  lorgnon  towards  her;  she  blushed,  and  turned 
to  Countess  Moszyńska,  not  paying  any  attention  to  the 
Princess's  significantly  clearing  her  throat.  But  the  Princess 
would  not  give  up,  and  did  not  spare  her  admonitions. 

"  Marie !  Believe  my  experience !  You  cannot  act  in  that 
way.  You  evidently  avoid  his  looks ;  you  know  I  wish  you  well. 
Look  at  Anastazy ;  do  you  see  he  has  grown  pale ! " 

Pani  Walewska  rose  suddenly  and  said — 

"Is  it  not  the  Princess  Dominik  Radziwil  with  Jeannette, 
there  to  the  left  ?  " 

"Yes,  yes!  .  .  .  but,  Marie !  " 

Pani  Walewska,  Vvuth  determination  marked  by  the  contraction 
of  her  eyebrows,  passed  between  uniforms,  and,  with  a  feeling 
of  relief,  took  a  seat  beside  Jeannette  on  the  side  of  the  ball- 
room, behind  the  wall  of  numerous  gentlemen. 

Jeannette,  seeing  Pani  Walewska,  interrupted  her  animated 
conversation  with  a  captain  of  the  Dragoon  Guards,  and  greeted 
the  Chamberlain's  wife  heartily. 

"  I  would  like  to  kiss  you,  my  dearest !  I  thought  you  had 
already  forgotten  about  your  Jeannette!  Maman!  Void 
Marie  ! " 

"  How  glad  I  am,"  said  the  Princess  Radziwil  coolly. 

Jeannette  began  to  shout  joyfully. 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  see  you  !  For  an  hour  I  have  been  looking 
for  an  opportunity  of  talking  with  you !  What  trouble  I  had 
about  that  excursion  to  Jabłonna  !  Victor  could  not  hold  his 
tongue.  I  did  not  say  a  word  to  anybody,  only  to  madame,  and 
she  knows  how  to  keep  a  secret.  .  .  .  You  are  looking  charm- 
ingly.    They  are  all  talking  about  you  !     I  am  so  proud  of  you ! 


122  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

I  have  quarrelled  on  your  account  with  a  general.  Look  !  with 
that  one  to  the  left^  with  a  bald  head.  I  pity  poor  Victor ! 
Imagine  to  yourself — he  did  not  receive  an  invitation !  I  was 
so  angiy  that  I  intended  not  to  come  to  the  ball.  But  I  am 
rewarded^  for  I  see  you.  L'Empereiir  was  so  absent.  Did  you 
notice  it  ?  He  made  three  mistakes  during  the  quadrille.  I 
did  not  think  that  such  a  great  man  did  not  know  how  to 
dance.  ...  It  is  awful  what  he  said  to  my  mother !  She  is 
offended.  She  cannot  forget^  and  she  is  rightj  too.  Marie^  kiss 
me — here,  here — bend  over  me  !  Thank  you.  How  much  I 
would  like  to  kiss  you  !  And  all  through  that  horrid  Emperor ! 
Mafoi,  he  bores  me  already  !  " 

"  But,  Jeannette/'  said  Pani  Walewska  joyfully,  when  she 
found  an  opportunity  to  say  a  word ;  but  at  this  moment  the 
wall  of  uniforms  and  evening  dresses  hiding  her  began  to 
move  aside.  Pani  Walewska  became  confused.  Jeannette  was 
pleased. 

"At  last  they  have  understood.  Do  you  see  the  Emperor 
standing  with  Duroc  }  Did  he  say  anything  about  the  meeting 
in  Jabłonna  ?     Did  he  ask  about  me  ?  " 

"He  did  not  speak  at  all." 

"  And  he  did  not  ask  about  me  ? " 

"  I  do  not  remember," 

"  I  did  not  expect  that  from  him.  They  say  he  is  so  galant 
Well,  no  matter !  Look  !  I  would  swear  he  is  looking  at  us. 
Let  us  turn  away  just  to  spite  him.  But  why  does  everybody 
look  at  us .'' " 

"You  only  fancy  so,"  said  Pani  Walewska  in  a  whisper, 
having  noticed  that  she  was  again  persecuted  by  intruding 
looks. 

Jeannette  guessed  the  truth. 

"Mary,  they  are  looking  at  you.  .   .   ." 

"  You  imagine  it.  .  .  ." 

"  Before  you  came  here  nobody  looked.  Do  not  deny  !  Ah, 
how  lovely  it  must  be  !     I  envy  you  !  " 

"  But,  Jeannette      .    " 

"  Let  me  speak  !  You  are  recognised  as  the  most  beautiful . 
Thomas  Lubieński  told  me  so,  and  you  know  he  never  lies. 
I  am  so  proud !     If  only  Victor  .  .      The  day  after  to-morrow 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  123 

there  will  be  a  dinner  given  by  Prince  Borghese.  Have  you 
already  received  an  invitation  ?  Will  you  go  ?  Of  course  you 
must  go  !  As  for  me,  I  do  not  knovr.  I  doubt  it.  My  mother 
will  not  be  willing  to  take  me.  You  have  not  any  idea  what 
Victor  suffers  through  her !  He  intended  to  run  away  to  Paris, 
but  I  persuaded  him  not  to  do  so.     I  am  very  hungry.  .  ,  ." 

Pani  Walewska  smiled.  Jeannette  thought  proper  to  em- 
phasise. 

"  I  promise  you  it  is  true !  Some  sweets  were  served ;  but 
what  is  that !  and  then  one  cannot  eat  much  at  a  ball,  and  I  am 
awfully  hungry.  Joubert  sent  me  my  frock  so  late  that  I  could 
not  eat.  Duroc  is  coming  to  us.  There  to  the  left,  with  Prince 
Borghese." 

Pani  Walewska  had  hardly  time  to  look  in  the  direction 
pointed  out  by  Jeannette  when  she  heard  behind  her  Prince 
Borghese's  voice. 

"  Chamberlain,  I  count  on  you  for  the  day  after  to-morrow." 

*'  It  will  be  my  duty,  mon  Pńnce." 

"\  hope — Madame  also." 

Pani  Walewska,  to  whom  those  words  were  directed,  bent  her 
head,  not  knowing  what  to  answer.  The  Prince  took  her  silence 
for  consent. 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged  !  There  will  be  but  a  very  liniited 
number  of  guests.  The  Emperor  does  not  like  crowded 
gatherings." 

In  the  meanwhile,  Duroc  took  hold  of  the  Chamberlain's  arm. 

"The  Emperor  asked  after  you  a  while  ago.  .  .  .  You  must 
draw  nearer.     There  is  no  doubt  that  he  wishes  to  talk  to  you." 

The  Chamberlain  stretched  himself,  bowed  slightly,  and  went 
with  Duroc  in  the  direction  where  Napoleon  was  sitting. 

The  Emperor,  leaning  in  an  armchair,  looked  thoughtfully 
round  the  ballroom,  hardly  listening  as  the  Duke  of  Bassano 
bent  over  him. 

From  time  to  time  Talleyrand  handed  him  his  lorgnon,  which 
Napoleon  would  put  for  a  while  to  his  eyes,  look  at  Pani 
Walewska,  and  then  return  it  to  M.  de  Perigord  with  marks 
of  impatience. 

Sometimes  the  Emperor's  look  would  fall  on  the  crowd  of 
uniforms  and  evening  dresses  and  draw  out  from  the  stupor 


124  NAPOLEONS  LOVE   STORY 

some  of  the  dignitaries ;  and  then  from  Bonaparte's  mouth 
would  come  out  impetuous  words,  embracing  the  fate  of  whole 
provinces,  words  which  resounded  loudly  throughout  Europe, 
which  were  seized  assiduously  by  courtiers  trying  to  find  in 
them  indications  of  new  promotions,  words  noted  carefully  by 
history. 

The  Chamberlain,  guided  by  Duroc,  stood  in  the  half-circle  sur- 
rounding the  Emperor,  and  waited,  waited  for  his  look.  A  long 
moment  passed.  Bonaparte  did  not  see  the  Chamberlain,  not- 
withstanding that  the  latter  stood  on  tiptoes,  and  craned  his 
neck  over  M.  de  Corvisart,  who  was  standing  before  him. 
Moreover,  as  though  to  mortify  the  Chamberlain,  the  Emperor 
was  talking  with  Wybicki.  The  Chamberlain  distinctly  heard 
some  sentences ;  he  saw  not  only  the  quiet  and  assurance  with 
which  Wybicki  answered,  but  also  he  distinguished  in  Napoleon's 
voice  a  shade  of  peculiar  favour  and  kindness. 

The  Chamberlain  was  devoured  by  jealousy. 

"Write  me  a  list — we  shall  see,"  said  Napoleon  to  Wybicki. 

The  half-circle  of  uniforms  and  evening  dresses  moved. 

"Sire!"  said  Wybicki  precipitately,  "I  am  afraid  they  will 
accuse  me  .  .  ." 

"  You  will  write  the  list,"  repeated  Napoleon  with  emphasis. 

Wybicki  bowed.  Bonaparte  rose  from  his  chair,  made  a 
step  forward,  and  having  noticed  the  Chamberlain,  frowned. 
Duroc  nodded  slightly  to  Walewski. 

The  Chamberlain  bent  respectfully. 

"A  .  .  .  M.  Walewski,"  said  Napoleon  between  his  lips. 
"  Pray,  come  nearer." 

The  Chamberlain  advanced. 

"  I  did  not  have  the  opportunity  of  making  the  acquaintance 
of  your  wife.  You  will  present  her  to  me  at  Prince  Borghese's 
dinner-party." 

"  Sire,  I  shall  be  most  happy." 

"You  were  Chamberlain.''" 

"  Yes,  Sire  ! " 

"  H'm  !     We  shall  see.     It  is  your  third  wife." 

"Yes,  Sire." 

"  She  was  not  well  ?  " 

"Slightly  indisposed.  Sire." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  125 

"  Very  well.  I  beg  of  you  to  be  present  with  her  at  all  balls 
and  receptions.  You  have  grown-up  grandsons ;  they  should 
enter  the  army." 

"  It  will  be  my  duty." 

*'  How  old  are  you  ?  " 

The  Chamberlain  grew  confused,  red  spots  appeared  on  his 
face  through  powder  and  paint. 

"  I  .  .  .  I  .  .  .  Sire,  I  am  .  .  .  about  .  .  ,  about  sixty  .  ,  .  that  is 
to  say  .  .  .  precisely  .  .  ." 

"They  told  me  you  were  eighty,"  interrupted  Bonaparte 
drily. 

"Yes,  Sire,  about  that  .  .  .  about  .  ."  stammered  the 
Chamberlain,  losing  ground  under  his  feet. 

"  A  fine  age — fine  ! "  said  the  Emperor,  and  turned  to  Duroc. 

The  Marshal  of  the  Court  bowed  solemnly,  nodded  to  Talley- 
rand, and  turned  towards  the  door,  preceding  Napoleon. 

When  the  Emperor  left,  there  arose  again  a  free  uproar  in 
the  ballroom. 

The  Marshals  began  to  move  more  boldly.  M.  de  Perigord, 
surrounded  by  ladies,  rested  after  the  fatigue  of  Court  etiquette, 
distributing  calemhours  and  witty  words.  The  gentlemen  sur- 
rounded Joseph  Wybicki,  in  order  to  make  him  talk  about  what 
Napoleon  had  said  to  him,  and  to  gain  the  favours  of  the  man 
who  was  charged  with  making  a  list  of  the  members  of  the 
future  Government. 

Murat,  to  M.  de  Flahaut's  great  disappointment,  seated 
himself  by  the  side  of  Countess  Alexandre  Potocka.  Prince 
Borghese  was  bolder  with  Countess  Thomas  Lubieńska ;  even 
the  cautious  Berthier  permitted  himself  to  chat  with  Mme. 
Sobolewska. 

Davoust  alone  did  not  change  his  nonchalant  attitude,  and 
was  talking  with  the  Governor,  Gouvion,  about  the  advantages 
of  three-edged  bayonets  over  flat  ones,  addressing  himself  from 
time  to  time  to  Prince  Joseph  Poniatowski. 

The  orchestra,  which  played  a  solemn  polonaise  at  the 
Emperor's  departure, .  changed  now  to  a  mazurka.  Groups  of 
young  men  came  forth  from  the  corner  of  the  ballroom.  The 
Frenchmen  formed  a  circle  to  look  at  the  dance  unknown  to 
them — the  elder  gentlemen  began  to  look  towards  the  door. 


126  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Stanislaus  Gorayski^  standing  near,  took  advantage  of  the 
confusion^  and  having  noticed  Pani  Walewska  talking  with 
Jeannette,  came  to  her. 

"  Ah,  Chevalier  Gorayski ! "  exclaimed  Jeannette  joyfully. 
"I  thought  you  were  not  here." 

"Could  you  think  that  .  .   .?" 

"You  do  not  guess  what  I  mean.  I  only  wonder  that  you 
appear  so  late." 

Gorayski  smiled  sadly,  and  having  looked  at  Pani  Walewska, 
said  with  emphasis  : 

"  I  could  not  very  well  dare  to  approach." 

"I  do  not  approve  of  your  reserve,"  said  Pani  Waleswka  in  an 
undertone. 

Gorayski's  eyes  shone  ;  his  pale  face  reddened. 

"  If  one  could  guess  sometimes  .  .  ." 

"  How  sentimental  you  are ! "  retorted  Jeannette,  whom 
Gorayski's  sad  face  amused.  "Mary,  excuse  me,  I  must  go  to 
Kocia  Lubieńska." 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  stop  her,  but  she  had  already  gone. 

"What  a  lovely  disposition  !  "  remarked  Gorayski,  looking  at 
Jeannette. 

"  You  had  better  say  fate— predestination  ! " 

"  I  do  not  believe  in  Ananke." 

"Because  it  never  touched  you." 

"  Yes,  it  did ;  only  my  Ananke  is  not  an  imaginary  being, 
not  a  mythical  goddess,  not  a  secret  wrapped  up  in  mist,  but 
living.   .  .   ." 

"Have  you  heard  of  Mme.  de  Stael's  new  novel?"  interrupted 
Pani  Walewska.  "The  Grand  Marshal  Duroc  told  me  that  it  is 
beautiful !  I  understand  the  Emperor  is  reading  it.  ...  I 
would  like  to  get  it.  .   .  ." 

Gorayski  smiled  ironically.     "  I  am  certain  that  you  will." 

"  I  shall  be  obliged,  for  I  am  already  Mme.  de  Stael's  great 
admirer,  because  of  her  Corinne." 

"  I  would  like  to  win  your  gratitude,  but  I  have  not  got  the 
book,  and  I  do  not  know  where  I  could  get  it." 

"  But  you  said .'' " 

"  I  dared  only  to  suppose  that  if  the  Emperor  has  it,  then 
you  also  will  get  it.  ..." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  127 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale ;  she  raised  her  shapely  head 
proudly,  and  said  in  subdued  tones :  "  I  thought  until  now  that 
at  least  from  you  I  might  expect  to  be  respected." 

Gorayski  dropped  his  head. 

"  My  words  are  only  a  faint  echo  of  that  of  which  the  whole 
town  is  talking." 

Pani  Walewska  shuddered. 

"  And  you  .  .  .  believe  in  this  slander  ? " 

"  I  listen,  I  look,  and  unfortunately  I  do  not  find  a  denial." 

"Explain  yourself  better." 

"  Is  it  not  better  to  be  silent }  I  have  not  the  right  either  to 
be  a  judge  .  .  .  or  .  .  ." 

"  You  are  mistaken !  I  wish  to  know  with  what  they 
reproach  me." 

"  But  these  are  not  reproaches  !  Upon  my  word,  there  is  not 
one  woman  in  this  room  who  does  not  envy  you,  who  is  not 
ready  to  sacińfice  everything  in  order  to  be  in  your  place.  .  .  . 
I  beg  of  you  not  to  think  that  I  am  not  speaking  the  truth !  It 
is  a  success  !  " 

Gorayski,  having  noticed  that  Pani  Walewska  trembled  as 
if  shaken  by  cold,  stopped  suddenly,  and  added  ceremoniously : 
"But  I  am  unjustly  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  interrupted  him  abruptly,  making  an  effort  to 
speak  quietly. 

"  Pan  Gorayski,  I  thought  you  were  a  chivalrous  man,  who, 
if  he  ventures  to  set  a  woman  in  a  pillory  of  maliciousness, 
would  make  sure  that  he  is  right  in  doing  so,  or,  at  least,  would 
not  take  advantage  when  there  is  nobody  to  defend  her !  " 

"  I  have  spoken  without  the  intention  of  offending.  I  thought 
that  it  would  not  be  indifferent  to  you  to  know   .  .  ." 

"  I  am  listening  then  !     What  do  they  say  }  .  .    " 

"  Nothing  precise,  besides  the  details  about  the  meeting  pre- 
arranged on  the  road  from  Pułtusk." 

"  And  in  which  you  played  an  important  part !  " 

"How  .  .  .  how  is  that.''" 

"  Then  you  have  forgotten  that  you  conducted  us  across  the 
bridge  to  Praga — you  do  not  remember  our  excursion  with 
Jeannette  and  Ossoliński  to  Jabłonna ! " 

"Then  this  was  the  cause.''" 


128  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

''Of  such  strange  behaviour  towai'ds  me  as  yours." 

"  Honestly  I  did  not  imagine  !  I  remember  well — and  now 
I  do  not  know  how  I  should  beg  your  forgiveness." 

"  Do  not  trouble  yourself." 

"  I  did  not  imagine  that  human  malice  could  go  as  far  as  that ! " 

"  Rather  your  credulity  !  " 

"  I  am  guilty  !  " 

"  This  avowal  speaks  in  favour  of  your  conscience." 

"Madame  .  .  .  Mary!" 

"Excuse  me^  sir,"  said  Pani  Walewska  coolly,  and  having 
noticed  her  husband,  rose  and  went  to  him. 

The  Chamberlain  was  still  very  irritated  after  the  convei'sa- 
tion  with  the  Emperor. 

"Are  we  going  home.''"  his  wife  asked  him. 

"  Certainly,  certainly.  Have  you  noticed — the  Emperor  was 
kind — very  kind  ;  he  inquired — he  inquired  about  many  things  ! 
Although  Dombrowski's  partisans  are  intriguing — and  even, 
who  knows,  perhaps  Małachowski." 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  answer  her  husband's  suppositions. 

The  Chamberlain  rapped  angrily  on  his  snuff-box. 

"You  do  not  care  about  it.''  " 

"  On  the  contrary,  but  it  is  late." 

"  I  must  see  Murat." 

"  Then  you  wish  to  go  out  last.  Look,  the  Princess  Dominik 
Radziwil  is  leaving." 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  You  are  right !  Let  us  be  going !  Where  there  is  no 
Emperor,  there  is  no  Walewski." 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE  Chamberlain  was  very  much  surprised  when,  the  day 
after  the  ball,  Baptiste  brought  him  in  the  morning  a 
letter,  telling  him  that  a  grenadier  was  waiting  for  an  answer. 
The  Chamberlain  opened  the  letter  with  imeasiness,  and  put 
on  his  spectacles.  The  last  night's  conversation  with  the 
Emperor  aroused  in  him  doubts  which  he  was  afraid  to  avow 
to  himself,  lest  he  should  pull  down  the  artificial  building  of 
hopes,  with  such  a  solid  foundation,  according  to  him.  The 
Chamberlain  tried  to  persuade  himself  that  the  Emperor's 
emphasis  about  his  age  was  undoubtedly  a  proof  that  the  men 
of  his  age  should  have  precedence ;  but  this  logical  deduction 
spoiled  the  Chamberlain's  humour  when  he  returned  home,  and 
was  the  cause  of  his  quarrelling  with  his  wife. 

To  the  Chamberlain's  great  surprise  the  letter  was  from  the 
Governor  of  Warsaw,  General  Gauvion,  and  contained  a  short 
but  hearty  in\dtation  to  a  confidential  council  concerning 
several  public  matters,  and  referred  to  M.  de  Perigord's 
opinions,  who  said  that  in  such  an  important  question  nobody 
could  give  better  advice  than  the  Chamberlain. 

That  letter  excited  the  Chamberlain  to  the  highest  degree. 
All  doubts  tormenting  him  disappeared.  The  conference  was 
going  to  be  held  at  twelve  o'clock.  Therefore,  the  Chamberlain, 
not  losing  time,  answered  a  few  words,  and  ordered  that  he 
should  be  dressed  as  quickly  as  possible. 

In  an  hour  and  a  half  the  Chamberlain  was  ready.  Baptiste, 
perspiring  and  tired,  looked  at  his  master  with  pride,  justly 
considering  the  Chamberlain's  exterior  as  his  masterpiece.  The 
Chamberlain,  however,  was  so  excited  that  he  hardly  looked 
into  the  mirror,  swallowed  at  a  draught  a  cup  of  bouillon,  and 
having  given  an  order  to  tell  his  wife  that  she  need  not  wait 
K  129 


130  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

for  him  for  dinner,  entered  the  carriage  and  was  driven  to  the 
Governor. 

Hardly  had  the  Chamberlain's  coujie  turned  into  Senatorska 
Street,  when,  from  the  opposite  direction,  came  a  green  and 
gold  imperial  carriage,  and  stopped  before  the  Walewskis' 
mansion.  Duroc  alighted  from  it.  The  Walewskis'  servants 
rushed  out  to  tell  the  Marshal  that  the  Chamberlain  was  not  at 
home,  but  the  Prince  of  Friul,  not  disturbed  by  this  news,  told 
them  to  announce  him  to  Pani  Walewska. 

Pani  Walewska  listened  with  fright  to  Baptiste's  solemn 
announcement  of  the  Marshal's  visit,  not  knowing  for  a  moment 
what  to  do.  Her  first  impulse  was  to  receive  Duroc,  and  by  a 
few  daring  answers  to  break  the  net  of  half  words  and  insinua- 
tions in  which  he  wanted  to  involve  her,  but  when  she  re- 
membered that  steel-like  pressure  of  the  hand,  that  burning 
look  of  the  Emperor's  eyes  at  the  ball,  a  cold  shiver  ran 
through  her.  She  felt  that  any  contact  with  Duroc,  any  con- 
versation, any  explanation  might  be  for  her  what  any  movement 
is  to  a  man  being  swallowed  by  quicksands,  who  sinks  deeper 
the  more  efforts  he  makes  to  save  himself. 

"Shall  I  show  the  Prince  to  the  blue  or  the  grey  drawing- 
room  ?  "  asked  the  valet,  unable  to  understand  Pani  Walewska's 
silence. 

Pani  Walewska  gathered  strength,  and  ordered  quietly:  "Tell 
the  Prince  that  I  am  not  well,  and  that  I  cannot  receive  him." 

Baptiste  looked  astonished  at  Pani  Walewska,  and  knowing 
his  master  well,  he  felt  that  he  had  a  right  to  make  a  con- 
fidential remark. 

"  But  he  is  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court." 

"I  have  given  my  order." 

"  If  his  lordship  was  at  home  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  showed  him  the  door. 

"  Your  ladyship  will  excuse  me         ,  but  my  lord  .  .  ." 

"  Go ! " 

The  valet  bowed  indifferently  and  disappeared. 

Pani  Walewska  covered  her  burning  face  with  her  hands, 
and  became  thoughtful. 

Baptiste's  loud  clearing  of  the  throat  woke  her  up.  Pani 
Walewska  turned  to  the  valet. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  131 

"  Your  ladyship  ...  a  letter  !  "  said  the  valet  loudly. 

Pant  Walewska  put  out  her  hand  for  the  letter  lying  on  a 
tray,  and  not  even  noticing  Baptiste's  smile,  made  him  a  sign 
to  go  away.  On  the  envelope  of  the  letter  the  address  was 
written  in  a  hand  difficult  to  read — 

"  Madame  Marie  de  Walewska." 

Pani  Walewska  held  the  letter  in  her  hand  for  a  moment, 
looked  at  the  seal  representing  a  kind  of  Gordian  knot,  and  at 
last  decided  to  open  it.  From  its  inside  fell  out  a  small  piece 
of  paper,  on  which  were  a  few  lines  in  the  same  handwriting  as 
the  address. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  it  a  long  while  before  she  could 
read  the  short  contents  : — 

"  I  am  thinking  continuously  of  you.  It  seems  to  me  that 
since  yesterday  centuries  have  already  passed.  A  word  of 
answer  will  tranquillise  a  man  devoured  by  longing. — N." 

Darkness  covered  Pani  Walewska's  eyes.  Was  it  possible 
that  those  wanton  words  were  written  by  the  man  who  decided 
the  fate  of  millions,  who,  by  one  stroke  of  his  pen,  changed 
boundaries  of  countries,  built  new  kingdoms .''  Then  he,  that 
mighty  one — he  upon  whom  she  looked  as  ujDon  a  god,  as  the 
incarnation  of  unearthly  strength,  that  legendary  hero,  incom- 
parable genius,  commander,  who  by  his  Jupiter-like  words  made 
Europe  tremble,  had  descended  where  her  sad,  quiet  life 
crawled  !  And  why  ?  As  for  herself,  she  had  long  been  willing 
to  become  his  humblest  servant,  provided  she  could  look  at  his 
majesty,  to  be  intoxicated  with  his  grandeur !  Humbly  and 
submissively  she  would  have  fulfilled  his  commands,  provided  he 
did  not  make  any  attempt  on  her  womanhood,  provided  he  spoke 
to  her  and  looked  at  her  always  as  a  ruler,  as  an  Emperor,  as 
the  man  chosen  from  a  hundred  generations  during  centuries. 

And  Pani  Walewska  was  seized  by  shame  for  that  vulgar 
avowal.  He,  great,  apjieared  to  her  so  small,  so  vnilgar,  so 
much  like  that  crowd  of  hare-brained  drawing-room  fellows, 
who  tired  her  with  their  stupid  courtships. 

"Your  ladyship  !  "  resounded  Baptiste's  voice  near  her,  "the 
Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court  is  waiting  in  his  carriage  for  an 
answer." 


132  NAPOLEOxN'S   LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska  shivered ;  the  offended  pride  of  the  Avoman 
made  her  lovely  face  crimson  ;  she  crumpled  the  letter  violently 
in  her  hand,  and  said  threateningly  :  "  There  is  no  answer  ! " 

When  the  valet,  frightened  by  Pani  Walewska's  irritation, 
had  disappeared,  the  Chamberlain's  wife  felt  that  her  strength 
almost  gave  way.  She  leaned  back  in  the  armchair ;  tears 
appeared  in  her  eyes ;  sadness  oppressed  her  heart.  The  feel- 
ing of  emptiness  and  desertion  that  had  followed  her  ever  since 
the  day  of  her  wedding  filled  her  with  bitterness.  She  had 
nobody  to  Avhom  she  could  tell  everything,  who  could  give  her 
advice,  who  could  encourage  her,  who  could  defend  her.  She 
asked  so  little  of  life  ;  almost  every  day  she  narrowed  her  re- 
quirements more  and  more.  For  years  her  only  joy  had  been 
her  brother.  With  him  she  had  learned  to  admire  Bonaparte ; 
in  his  company  she  was  joyful,  with  him  alone  she  could  share 
her  thoughts.  Him  alone  she  made  the  confidant  of  her  long- 
ings. But  Paul  was  not  there  ;  the  continuous  wind  of  war  had 
driven  him  Avith  the  rest  of  the  Polish  legions  to  Lefebvre's 
army  storming  Danzig,  and  Gorayski  remained  here.  But 
he  !  he  had  known  her  since  she  was  a  child,  carried  her  in  his 
arms,  sworn  himself  her  lover,  and  to-day  he  persecuted  her  with 
insinuations,  and  accused  her  even  of  having  ruined  her  own 
happiness. 

Pani  Walewska  began  to  cry. 

"  You  are  crying?  "  said  a  sonorous  man's  voice. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  through  her  tears  and  jumped  up  from 
her  seat. 

Duroc  was  standing  before  her. 

"  Monsieur ! " 

Under  Pani  Walewska's  magnetising  look  Duroc  dropped  his 
head. 

"  Pray  excuse  me." 

"  Monsieur  !  "  repeated  Pani  Walewska,  breathing  with  diffi- 
culty.    "Here!" 

"I  admit  it." 

"  How  did  you  dare  to  cross  the  threshold  of  my  room  ?  " 

Duroc  became  confused. 

"  Madame,  I  beg  of  you  to  be  quieted.  I  wanted  an  answer  to 
the  letter." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  133 

Pani  Walewska  pointed  to  the  crumpled  letter  lying  on  the 
carpet.  "  There  is  your  answer !  I  hope  now  that  you  will 
free  me  from  the  visit  forced  upon  me." 

Duroc  became  gloomy ;  clouds  gathered  upon  his  forehead. 

"  Think  over  what  you  are  doing ;  it  is  not  wise !  The 
Emperor  has  the  best  intentions  !  " 

Pani  WaleAvska  laughed  bitterly. 

"  I  do  not  understand  such  intentions^  and  I  do  not  wish  to 
know  about  them.  I  am  a  married  woman^  which  you  seem  to 
forget." 

"  Say  rather  that  you  are  an  unhappy  victim." 

"  I  have  been  taught  to  respect  chains." 

"  If  you  say  only  one  word,  these  chains  will  be  broken  ! " 
interrupted  Duroc  warmly.     "  Rome  will  grant  you  a  divorce  !  " 

"\  swore  to  God  !  " 

Duroc  tugged  impatiently  at  the  plumes  of  his  hat. 

"Then  let  us  not  go  so  far — for  the  present  give  me  one 
word  as  an  answer." 

"You  have  it." 

"  You  are  cruel !  or  rather  you  try  to  be  so.  And  suppose  I 
should  beg  for  it  as  the  greatest  favour  }  " 

"  I  did  not  know  that  your  high  office  at  Court  obliged  you  to 
do  so  many  kinds  of  work." 

Duroc  grew  pale,  and  said  admonishingly — 

"  I  put  that  to  the  account  of  your  irritation.  The  sentiments 
you  aroused  in  the  Empei'or  are  more  stable  than  you  think. 
An  answer,  be  it  only  a  friendly  one,  will  be  received  with 
a  grateful  heart,  and  it  will  oblige  you  to  nothing." 

Pani  Walewska  shook  her  head,  and,  mastering  the  trembling 
that  was  taking  hold  of  her,  she  said  with  force :  "  I  have  no 
answer  to  give  you  ;  I  have  said  it." 

Duroc  bit  his  lips. 

"Suppose,  instead  of  answering  the  letter,  you  would  express 
some  wish,  some  request.  His  Majesty  Avould  be  happy  if  he 
could  do  anything  for  you." 

"  No,  thank  you,  I  have  not.  .  .  ." 

Duroc  laughed  sarcastically. 

"Then  you  are  a  bad  wife,  bad  sister,  even  a  bad  Polish 
patriot." 


134  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska  leaned  on  the  armchair. 

"I  receive  that  accusation^  and  I  do  not  discuss  the  motives 
that  dictated  it  to  you." 

"  But  you  forgetj  you  do  not  realise  who  speaks  through  my 
mouth ;  you  do  not  think  that  thousands  of  women  in  your 
position  would  see  the  realisation  of  the  boldest  dreams ;  that 
the  man  who  turns  towards  you  commands  nations^  that  at  his 
sign  millions  bend  their  knees." 

Duroc  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked  inquiringly  at  Pani 
Walewska  standing  motionless,  and  he  lowered  his  voice. 

"As  it  seems  that  you  interpret  my  Avords  badly,  you  take 
them  too  lightheartedly.  The  interest  which  the  Emperor 
takes  in  you  is  extraordinary,  without  precedent.  Pray  believe 
my  experience.  Who  knows  what  lot  might  be  in  store  for  you 
in  the  immediate  future  ?  I  repeat — ask,  demand  ;  do  not  have 
an}^  scruples.     Are  you  still  hesitating .'' " 

Pani  Walewska  dropped  her  head. 

"Cease  hesitation,  then,"  again  urged  Duroc;  "and  if  you  do 
not  wish  to  write,  authorise  me  to  give  an  answer  in  your 
name  ;  and  then,  having  thought  it  over,  you  can  write  and 
send  the  letter  to  me." 

Pani  Walewska  suddenly  shook  off  the  terror  caused  by 
Duroc's  words. 

"Then  be  so  kind  as  to  ask  his  Majesty  one  favour.  .  ,  ." 

"I  am  listening.     Be  so  kind  as  to  express  it." 

"  I  beg  of  him,  then,  in  the  name  of  all  his  good  intentions, 
to  relieve  me  of  attentions  like  to-day's." 

Duroc  stretched  himself  proudly. 

"  You  are,  Madame,  a  naughty,  capricious  child !  You  may 
be  assured  that  I  shall  not  give  you  any  more  trouble.  There 
will  come  a  time  when  you  will  regret  to-day's  anger,  for 
evidently  you  have  forgotten  that  the  Emperor  commands  even 
when  he  begs  !  " 

Duroc  saluted  coolly  and  went  out. 

Pani  Walewska  fell  into  an  armchair.  She  was  moved  by 
Duroc's  last  words,  showing  her  an  abyss  opening  at  her  feet. 
Suddenly  a  thought  about  escaping  from  the  net  which  was 
entangling  her  aroused  her  energy.  She  rang  for  the  servant, 
and  ordered  her  boxes  to  be  packed  at  once. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  135 

The  servants,  wondering,  began  to  fulfil  her  orders,  trying  by 
timid  remarks  to  find  out  from  her  what  that  sudden  change 
meant,  in  face  of  Baptiste's  assurance  that  they  would  not  go  to 
Walewice  before  the  Emperor's  departure.  But  Pani  Walewska 
did  not  give  any  elucidation,  did  not  let  any  of  the  servants 
idle,  helping  them  herself,  gaining  courage  and  energy  every 
time  a  box  or  a  valise  was  ready.  Nothing  could  frighten  her 
now — neither  a  meeting  with  her  husband,  nor  his  vmdoubted 
opposition,  nor  his  anger  at  her  arbitrariness.  Pani  Walewska 
understood  one  thing — that  she  must  run  away ;  that  she  must 
hide  from  the  peril  threatening  her;  that  this  flight  was  the 
only  remedy  that  would  save  her. 

Amid  this  disorder,  this  feverish  packing  of  heaps  of  things, 
this  opening  of  wardrobes  and  emptying  of  drawers.  Princess 
Jabłonowska  found  her  sister-in-law. 

The  Princess's  astonishment  had  no  limits. 

"  Marie,  what  means  this  disorder .''  Boxes  !  What  for !  I 
met  Anastazy  an  hour  ago.  He  was  driving  to  Gauvion.  He 
did  not  say  anything  of  your  going  away." 

"I  return  to  Walewice." 

"To  Walewice!"  repeated  the  Princess,  astonished  in  the 
highest  degree. 

"  To-day  ;  without  fail,  to-day  !  " 

The  Princess  looked  inquisitively  at  her  sister's  feverish  face. 

"  Such  a  sudden  decision !  But  you  are  invited  by  Prince 
Borghese  for  to-morrow." 

"  Anastazy  can  remain." 

The  Princess  took  Pani  Walewska  by  the  hand,  and  con- 
ducted her  to  another  room. 

"  You  are  hiding  something  from  me.  You  do  not  have 
confidence  in  me,  and  you  do  not  imagine  how  much  you 
interest  me." 

"  I  believe  you  !  I  believe  you  !  "  answered  Pani  Walewska  ; 
"  but  I  must  go  immediately !  There  is  no  power  that  could 
stop  me.  Anastazy  can  .  ,  but  I  do  not  want  the  Court  or 
your  society.  Leave  me  !  forget  me  '  cease  to  take  any  interest 
in  me  !     I  wish  to  be  alone — absolutely  alone  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  speak  further,  but  the  words  stuck 
in  her  throat. 


136  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

The  Princess  became  sincerely  sorroAvful. 

"  Ma  chere  !  You  know  I  am  ready  to  do  anything  for  you  ! 
But  what  has  hapjDened  ?  I  cannot  find  a  reason  !  Is  it 
Anastazy  ?  You  must  forgive  him  many  tilings.  I  understand 
your  position.  He  must  be  insupportable .'  -  .  .  It  is  old  age, 
between  ourselves.  One  must  have  philosophy,  and  not  care 
about  everything  ...  it  is  unwise.  To  leave  !  But  what  will 
the  people  say  }  Anetka  is  only  waiting  to  spread  some  slander 
about  you,  especially  after  last  night's  incident  with  Gorayski ! 
I  tell  you,  I  was  obliged  to  use  all  my  persuasive  powers  to 
prove  to  Princess  Radziwil  that  this  horrible  fight  between 
him  and  Herceau  was  not  caused  by  you." 

"  Fight  with  Herceau  .''  " 

"Well,  yes,"  affirmed  the  Princess  sadly.  "They  fought  a 
duel,  and  Gorayski  is  wounded.  .  .  .  Herceau,  notwithstanding 
everything,  has  some  influence  with  the  Prince  of  Berg,  and 
even  with  Marshal  Berthier.  It  is  impossible  to  guess  what 
will  come  of  all  this.  I  tremble  at  the  thought  that  Anastazy 
might  learn  about  it — he  is  so  sensitive.  ..." 

"  Gorayski  is  wounded  .''  "  asked  Pani  Walev.'ska  hesitatingly. 

"  Ma  foi  !  They  called  in  Dr.  Wójcicki.  They  sent  word  to 
Gorayski's  mother.  Herceau  was  too  hard  upon  him.  He 
ought  to  have  forgiven  the  young  man.  I  shall  tell  him  so. 
Therefore  you  see  that  this  sudden  departure  would  confirm  the 
suppositions." 

"  I  do  not  knov/  anything  about  it.  I  did  not  give  any  reasons." 

"  My  dear  child,  you  do  not  need  to  tell  me.  .  .  .  But  at  the 
first  glance,  seeing  you  among  your  boxes,  unAvillingly  I 
thought  of  Gorayski." 

Pani  Walewska  was  rubbing  her  smooth  forehead  uneasily,  in 
vain  searching  for  a  connection  between  the  ncvs  of  the  duel 
and  Duroc's  visit. 

The  Princess,  on  her  side,  did  not  cease  either  her  questioning 
or  her  remonstrances ;  she  spoke  indulgently,  cautiously  trying 
to  find  the  reason  why  her  sister-in-law  wished  so  suddenly  to 
go  away. 

Pani  Walewska  was  unmoved.  The  Princess  used  her  last 
cartridge. 

"If  you  trifle  with  the  opinion  of  society,  if  you  are  in- 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  137 

different  to  your  husband's  plans^  then  at  least  remember  your 
family.  Why  should  poor  Ksawery  suffer  from  your  bad 
humour  or  unjustified  bitterness  ?  In  what  way  is  the  Imperial 
Court  guilty,  for  which  the  Walewskis  .  ,  .  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  jumped  from  her  seat. 

"  Imperial  Court !  If  you  loved  me,  if  you  cared  for  the 
family,  and  were  really  so  penetrating  as  you  say,  then  you 
should  have  been  the  first  to  bid  me  go  away." 

"Mais,  Marie!" 

"  Yes,  you,  first." 

"  Permit  me  to  explain  to  you.  Ksawery's  plans  in  regard  to 
the  Princess  Radziwil  may  be  ruined,  for  the  Princess  is  very 
particular.  Already  to-day  she  was  sour,  and  should  you  go 
away  .  .  ." 

"  Princess,  you  are  mistaken  !  " 

"  Cherie,  do  not  give  me  my  title.  I  cannot  guess  of  what 
mistake  you  are  talking." 

Pani  Walewska,  in  answer,  rushed  to  her  dressing-room  and 
returned  with  the  crumpled  letter. 

"Here  is  my  answer!  Read  and  learn  what  I  should  fear 
before  all  things." 

The  Princess  took  the  letter  with  an  indulgent  smile,  glanced 
at  it,  and  became  confused. 

"  Permit  me,  my  dear  child.  'N!'  Who  is  '  N  '  .>  Is  it  M.  de 
Noailles .''  Undoubtedly  it  is  he.  I  recognise  his  style.  Un- 
bearable !  He  does  not  leave  any  lady  in  peace !  I  shall  tell 
him.     Then  it  is  this  letter  that  excited  you  so  much  }  " 

Pani  Walewska  nodded  affirmatively ;  the  Princess  laughed 
heartily. 

"  This  letter !  Ha  !  ha  !  But,  my  dear  child,  you  do  not 
know  our  world !  A  proof  of  frolicsome  homage,  innocent 
levity — an  occasion  for  joking.  You  are  beautiful  enough  to 
receive  a  score  of  similar  declarations  every  day.  Then  M.  de 
Noailles  has  already  found  you !  He  has  good  taste,  but  only 
yesterday  he  was  courting  Anetka." 

"If  the  question  were  about  M.  de  Noailles,  I  should  know 
myself  how  to  give  him  a  good  lesson." 

The  Princess  looked  attentively  at  Pani  Walewska  with  her 
dark,  uneasy  eyes. 


138  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"Then  you  say  that  the  'N  '  does  not  mean  .  .   ." 

"The  letter  was  brought  to  me  by  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the 
Court." 

"Duroc?"  cried  the  Princess  with  emotion.  "Is  it  possible.'' 
Then  you  suppose  that  the  letter  'N'  .  .  .}" 

"  Duroc's  words  put  an  end  to  all  my  doubts." 

The  Princess  was  so  moved  by  this  news  that  she  could  not 
speak.  Only  after  a  long  silence  she  sighed ;  then  she  took 
Pani  Walewska  delicately  by  the  hand  and  clasped  her  to  her 
bosom. 

Pani  Walewska  replied  to  this  evident  proof  of  sympathy  by 
tears. 

"  Ckere  Marie  !  Excuse  me,  forgive  me — it  must  hurt !  Ah  ! 
how  could  I  suppose  ?  It  is  true  that  there  was  some  ground 
for  supposition,  but  I  never  thought  it  would  come  so  soon  ! 
Permit  me  to  kiss  you." 

Pani  Walewska  responded  heartily  to  the  Princess's  loud 
kisses,  feeling,  in  the  meanwhile,  how  unjust  she  had  been  to 
her  husband's  sister,  how  unfounded  was  her  prejudice  against 
her. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  Princess  rubbed  her  eyes  with  a  hand- 
kerchief, cleared  her  throat  solemnly,  and  said,  looking  at  the 
letter — 

"  It  is  a  formal  declaration  !  You  should  keep  it — it  may  be 
very  valuable." 

Pani  Walewska  opened  her  eyes,  which  were  full  of  tears, 
wide. 

The  Princess  hastened  to  explain. 

"  You  must  keep  this  letter;  believe  my  experience  !  I  knew 
Pani  Grabowska  as  I  know  you ;  my  aunt  was  Aurora  Konigs- 
mark's  friend." 

"But  permit  me  .  .  ." 

"  My  dear !  allow  me  to  explain  everything  to  you.  Be 
frank ;  I  think  you  should  trust  me.  Not  only  because  of 
Anastazy  I  wish  you  Avell.  I  always  loved  your  family,  and  I 
well  remember  your  late  father.  Speak,  speak,  my  dear!  tell 
me  how  it  was — from  the  beginning!  At  the  ball  yesterday 
I  noticed  ,      .  but  even  M.  de  Pćrigord  doubted.  .      ." 

Pani  Walewska,  in  a  trembling  voice,  began  to  relate  all  the 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  139 

details  of  the  first  meeting  with  the  Emperor,  and  then  the 
conversation  with  Duroc,  the  incident  of  the  bouquet,  and  at 
last  the  Marshal's  violent  invasion  of  her  room. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  spoke  with  feeling,  and  did  not 
notice  either  the  Princess's  smiles  nor  the  incredulous  move- 
ment of  her  head  nor  the  expression  of  indulgent  surprise 
around  her  mouth. 

Pani  Walewska  stopped  from  time  to  time ;  then  again  tor- 
mented by  the  sentiments  whirling  in  her,  spoke  with  bitter- 
ness, complaining  of  her  fate,  of  her  spoiled  youth,  of  human 
malice  persecuting  her,  of  the  world  of  which  she  was  always 
afraid,  and  from  which  she  wished  to  run  away. 

The  Princess  did  not  interrupt  Pani  WalcAvska ;  she  allowed 
her  to  say  everything,  to  shake  off  the  burden  of  thoughts 
crowding  in  her  head,  and  only  when  Pani  Walewska  became 
silent,  searching  in  the  Princess's  face  for  sympathy,  the  latter 
smiled  still  more  sweetly,  kissed  her  sister-in-law  still  more 
loudly,  and  said  in  a  tone  of  motherly  remark — 

"  How  simple  you  are  !  how  noble  !  I  admire  you,  my  dear 
child !  I  love  you  a  hundred  times  more,  seeing  you  so  pure  ! 
Permit  me  to  kiss  you ;  only,  to-day,  you  were  too  impetuous. 
You  might  have  answered,  especially  when  the  Marshal  asked 
you  to  express  your  wish.  What  a  pity  you  did  not  ask  for 
time  to  think  things  over.  You  might  have  asked  my  advice. 
You  know  how  much  Anastazy  needs  the  Court  for  his  plans." 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale. 

"  But  he  cannot  use  this  means  ! " 

"  Child,  child,  and  once  more  child !  you  do  not  know  life ! 
Vraiment,  tu  est  ires  difficile  !  I  do  not  know  how  to  explain  to 
you !  H'm !  Have  you  confidence  in  me .''  Do  you  believe 
that  I  should  like  to  see  Anastazy  happy  }  Then  give  up  the 
plan  of  your  departure  !     Remain  !  " 

"Then  am  I  going  to  expose  myself  to  insults  such  as  to- 
day's ?" 

"  Can  homage  paid  to  a  woman  by  a  most  powerful  Emperor 
be  called  an  insult  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  call  such  a  letter  as  this  homage." 

The  Princess  became  sorrowful. 

"  Chcre,  do  not  look  on  things  from  the  point  of  view  of  your 


140  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

chambermaids  in  Walewice.  There  are  superior  reasons,  in  the 
presence  of  which  you  should  give  up  your  subhme  intentions 
even  towards  Anastazy.  I  will  tell  you  more  :  he  himself  would 
not  permit  that  you  should  guide  yourself  by  such  small  con- 
siderations. You  must  apply  another  measure.  Chere  Marie, 
I  cannot  explain  to  you  all  that  at  once.  Have  confidence  in 
me.  Do  not  be  irritated  at  Duroc.  The  Emperor  wished  to 
express  to  you  his  benevolence — there  is  nothing  in  that. 
Everything  depends  on  your  tact.  Then^  I  will  take  care  ol 
you — be  sure  that  I  shall  know  how  to  protect  you  in  case  ol 
need.     Only  give  up  the  absurd  idea  of  going  away." 

"But  first  of  all  I  will  tell  everything  to  Anastazy — he  shall 
decide  ! " 

The  Princess  shook  her  hands  in  despair. 

"  What  nonsense  !  Without  any  reason  you  wish  to  disturb 
his  peace;  and  what  for  .J*  If  you  arouse  apprehensions  in  him, 
you  will  in  the  meanwhile  fill  him  with  bitterness  and  aversion 
tOAvards  the  Com-t.  Anastazy  is  impetuous ;  he  might  say  some 
hard  words  and  offend  his  Majesty.  Do  you  understand  his 
Majesty.''  Marie,  I  very  Avell  understand  your  noble  sci-uples, 
but  at  the  same  time  I  am  afraid  for  Anastazy,  for  the  whole 
family,  especially  after  that  incident  Avith  Herceau." 

"I  did  not  give  any  cause  for  it." 

"I  am  persuaded,  but  you  were  careless.  Herceau  was 
courting  you.  Gorayski  evidently  has  some  old  illusions,  and 
the  thing  was  done.  .  .  .  The  only  advice — do  not  change  any- 
thing; be  indifferent,  and  do  not  attract  attention.  It  will,  it 
must  pass  if  you  do  not  go  away." 

"  Anastazy  will  decide  about  that ! " 

"  But  he  does  not  wish  to  return  to  Walewice." 

"  Because  he  does  not  know  anything.    I  shall  tell  him  at  once." 

The  Princess  was  frightened. 

"  Marie,  think  it  over  !  Although  he  is  my  brother,  but  .  .  . 
but  ...  I  am  not  blind.  He  is  ill,  irritable ;  you  will  expose 
youi'self  to  his  reproaches ;  you  will  arouse  in  him  .   .  ." 

'^'^It  may  be,  but  I  have  no  otlier  way." 

"  Then  permit  me  !  Yes,  I  will  have  a  talk  with  him  ;  I  will 
explain  to  him.  He  trusts  me !  You  cannot  do  it  1  He  will 
listen  to  me  i " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  141 

Pani  Walewska  hesitated  to  accept  this  unexpected  help. 

The  Princess  insisted  more  and  more  energetically^  depicting 
to  Pani  Walewska  all  the  perils  of  a  dispute  with  an  oldj  ill, 
and  impetuous  husband. 

"Anastazy  may  suspect  you  ;  he  may  not  only  take  you 
away^  but  shut  you  up  in  some  convent.  At  his  age  the  man 
is  unmanageable  !  He  would  not  let  you  speak  ;  he  would 
condemn  you  before  you  would  be  able  to  explain  everything 
to  him  ! " 

Pani  Walewska  dropped  her  head. 

The  Princess  spoke  the  truth.  The  Chamberlain's  custom 
was  to  refuse  to  listen  to  his  wife ;  from  her  one  word  he  would 
often  spin  out  very  improbable  deductions  ;  he  judged  her 
before  listening  to  her ;  he  sentenced  her,  not  allowing  her  to 
defend  herself. 

Princess  Jabłonowska  understood  her  power  over  the  Cham- 
berlain's wife,  and  when  the  latter  still  was  not  willing  to 
consent  to  the  Prmcess's  speaking  on  her  behalf,  she  rang 
for  the  servant,  and  having  learned  that  the  Chamberlain  had 
just  returned  home,  she  rose  quickly  and  went  to  her  brother's 
apartment. 

Pani  Walewska  had  not  even  the  courage  to  ask  the  Princess 
where  she  was  going,  nor  strength  to  stop  her.  The  thought 
of  a  conversation  with  her  husband  frightened  her.  In  her 
ears  resounded  the  Chamberlain's  sarcastic  laughter,  his  hoarse 
voice  and  drawling  snuffling.  She  felt  the  maHcious  look  of 
his  small  glassy  eyes ;  she  saw  red  spots  coming  out  on  his 
cheeks  and  forehead  from  beneath  a  layer  of  powder,  and  she 
heard  streams  of  insulting,  humiliating  reproaches,  in  which 
he  would  speak  of  every  piece  of  bread  eaten  by  her  family 
in  his  house,  every  penny  given  to  keep  the  rest  of  the 
Kiernosia  estates,  and  would  insist  that  he,  a  decrepit  old 
man,  exhausted  by  fast  living,  ill,  half  dead,  had  conferred  on 
her  a  favour  by  stooping  down  to  her  beauty,  youth,  pure 
thoughts,  and  immaculate  sentiments,  and  would  reproach 
her  with  being  unable  to  appreciate  the  happiness  to  be  found 
in  the  sickly  ardour  of  a  drawing-room  dandy  of  forty  years 
ago  ;  would  complain  because  where  the  Chamberlain  felt  a 
dangerous  draught  she  enjoyed  the  breath  of  the  fresh  wind ; 


142  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

because  what  tired  him^  did  not  have  the  same  effect  on  his 
young  wife ;  because  she  was  not  as  apathetic  as  he  was ;  because 
her  heart  throbbed  with  pure  sympathy  for  every  noble  or  great 
deed;  because  she  was  healthy,  and  could  not  even  comprehend 
that  awfully  persistent  headache  which  so  often  visited  her 
husband. 

Therefore,  when  after  a  long  Avhile  Pani  Walewska  heard  the 
rustling  of  a  silk  frock,  and  then  the  sound  of  her  husband's 
cough,  she  was  so  frightened  that  she  could  not  raise  her  eyes, 
she  was  afraid  to  look  at  the  Princess  lest  she  might  read  in 
her  face  the  announcement  of  that  storm  which  she  expected 
for  certain. 

The  Princess,  in  the  meanwhile,  having  guessed  her  sister-in- 
law's  uneasiness,  adroitly  left  the  Chamberlain  behind,  and 
coming  swiftly  to  Pani  Walewska,  kissed  her  effusively,  and 
whispered — 

"  All  over,  and  very  satisfactorily  !  Do  not  say  anything,  do 
not  explain  anything !  Anastazy  was  moved  .  .  .  very  much 
moved.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  dominate  her  surprise. 

"Then  he  consented  to  go  away.''" 

"  Child  !  he  is  coming ;  leave  that  to  him  and  to  me." 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  had  not  time  to  answer ;  her  husband 
was  already  before  her,  smiling  at  her  as  he  only  did  when  he 
was  very  satisfied. 

"Well,  there  was  some  unnecessary  disorder  in  the  house? 
What?  ..." 

"  Elle  est  si  nerveiise  !"  said  the  Princess. 

The  Chamberlain  moved  his  head  kindly. 

"  Nothing  has  come  of  that ;  I  have  given  orders  to  unpack 
the  boxes.  It  was  very  well,  very  well  that  you  sent  the 
Princess  to  me.  I  am  awfully  pleased.  I  find  in  that  a  proof 
of  commonsense  and  affection  !     Very  well !  " 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  husband  with  gratitude.  Almost 
never  before  had  he  spoken  so  kindly  to  her. 

The  Princess  smiled  imperceptibly,  and  winked  at  Pani 
Walewska. 

"I  appreciate  that,"  concluded  the  Chamberlain  solemnly. 
"I  am  very  agreeably  frappć." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  143 

"  I  did  not  expect  anything  else  from  Marie  !  "  said  the 
Princess  triumphantly. 

"  Certainly,  certainly !  one  cannot  wish  for  anything  better." 

"\  have  always  been  telling  you  so." 

The  Chamberlain  did  not  understand  what  the  Princess  had 
been  telling  him,  but,  as  he  was  in  good  humour,  he  nodded 
affirmatively,  and,  wishing  to  attribute  to  himself  some  merit 
in  the  matter,  said  pompously  :  "If  I  had  not  seen  that  she 
would  be  worthy  of  Colonna  Walewski,  I  should  never  have 
married  her ! " 

"  Then  we  must  think  about  the  dress  for  to-morrow's  dinner 
party." 

"The  blue  dress  with  gold  stars ! "  decided  the  Chamberlain. 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  conceal  her  terror.  "  What,  then, 
after  all  that  happened,  we  are  going  to  Prince  Borghese's  .>  " 

"Undoubtedly!  we  are  invited;  we  are  among  the  few 
selected  guests.  It  is  impossible  to  refuse ;  and  then,  nothing 
extraordinaiy  has  happened.  The  partisans  of  the  Potockis  and 
the  Dombrowskis  will  gnash  their  teeth.  Gauvion  asked  me 
a  great  many  questions  to-day!  The  temporary  Government 
will  be  dismissed  any  day !  To-morrow,  indeed,  some  important 
steps  will  be  taken." 

"Anastazy  is  right,"  rejoined  the  Princess  precipitately. 
"You  must  be  present." 

"  But  suppose  Duroc  again  }  .  .  ."  stammered  Pani  Walewska. 

"Be  calm  ...  do  not  take  things  so  seriously.  .  .  ." 

"Neither  take  to  yourself  that  which  is  addressed  to  somebody 
else!"  added  the  Chamberlain  gravely.  "With  time  you  will 
learn  the  Court's  subterfuges.     And  now  .      ." 

"  Remember  that  we  also  remember  you  ! "  ended  the  Princess 
solemnly. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  hesitatingly  at  her  sister-in-law,  and 
asked  :  "  Does  Anastazy  know  everything  'i  " 

"  Naturally." 

"About  the  letter,  too?" 

The  Princess  laughed  heartily. 

"What  a  child  she  is  still!  I  repeated  word  for  word.  ,  ,  . 
Pray,  Anastazy,  look  how  becoming  that  uncertainty  is  to  her. 
Tres  hien !  .  ,  ." 


144  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

The  Chamberlain  rapped  his  snufF-box  and  half  closed  his  eyes. 

''^  Countess  de  Vaiiban  !"  declared  Baptiste's  voice  suddenly. 

The  Chamberlain  turned  to  his  sister. 

"I  said  that  the  Poniatowskis  are  cringing.    What .''    H'm  .  .  •" 

"  We  must  receive  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  made  an  impatient  movement. 

"I  would  prefer  to  avoid  this  visit." 

"Why?" 

"I  am  not  well.  .  .  ." 

"  Marie  !    You  do  not  know  Vauban." 

"H'm  .  .  .  perhaps  it  would  be  better  not  to  receive!"  re- 
joined the  Chamberlain  suddenly.     "  Let  them  know  .  .  ." 

The  Princess  shrugged  her  shoulders. 

"Then  you  do  not  know  that  betv/een  her  and  Pepi  every- 
thing 3is  over  ?  Entii'ely.  .  .  .  They  preserve  appearances,  and 
both  are  ł^nly  seeking  how  to  break  altogether  !  She  was  always 
well  disposed  towards  us.   ..." 

"That  may  be,  but  as  Marie  is  not  disposed  .  .  ."  interfered 
the  Chamberlain, 

'^'Then  permit  me  to  receive  her  instead  of  Marie.  One 
cannot  act  otherwise  with  Vauban.  You  do  not  know  her,  you 
do  not  appreciate  her  merits.  .  .  .  One  cannot  slight  her.  .  .  . 
Therefore  I  am  going.  .  .  .  Show  the  Countess  into  the  blue 
drawing-room." 

Baptiste  bowed  and  went  out.     The  Princess  folloAved  him. 

The  Chamberlain  having  remained  with  his  wife,  made  a 
grimace,  and,  balancing  himself  on  his  heels,  said :  "  I  do  not 
know  what  she  sees  in  that  withered  Vauban  !  Apparently  all 
is  over !  We  know  that  Poniatowski  has  broken  with  her 
several  times !  And  now — well,  it  is  clear,  he  is  afraid  of  the 
shadow  of  the  Bourbons !  .  .  ." 

"  Bourbons  ?  "  repeated  Pani  Walewska,  trying  to  understand 
her  husband. 

"Yes  .  .  .  French  emigration!  Vauban  is  and  was  the 
Prince  de  Ligny's  tale-bearer.  If  he  were  to  act  ...  in  a 
word,  an  interrupted  chain  reaching  Louis !  Ho  !  ho  !  Well, 
and  Pepi !     Ha  !  ha  !     Machiavelli  !  and  a  good  one  too  !  " 

"  Pi-ince  Jose})h .'' " 

The  Chamberlain  pufl'ed  up  his  lips. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  145 

"  Prince  Joseph !  Simply  Poniatowski !  Do  you  think  that 
the  late  King  had  not  enough  bother  with  him?  He  was 
intriguing  continually  !  I  know  something  about  it !  Well,  he 
wished  to  be  powerful,  but  there  were  some  people  Avho  did  not 
allow  it.  Count  Szczensny  Potocki  warned  the  King.  And  not 
he  alone,  there  was  some  one  else  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  cleared  his  throat  significantly. 

"Pepi  was  always  intriguing,"  continued  the  Chamberlain, 
"and  he  wishes  to  do  the  same  now,  but  he  will  not  succeed. 
The  Emperor  knows  whom  he  should  trust,  and  if  he  does  not 
know  then  there  is  some  one  who  will  warn  him.  They  think 
that  their  time  has  come,  but  they  are  mistaken  !  Colonna 
Walewski  is  still  living ;  Colonna  Walewski  will  dwarf  their 
intrigues ! " 

"  But  thei*e  is  nothing  of  importance  going  on." 

The  Chamberlain  trembled  with  indignation  at  that  modest 
remark. 

"  Yes,  for  you,  for  you,  there  is  only  a  reception  in  the  Castle, 
a  ball  at  Talleyrand's,  a  dinner  at  Prince  Borghese's,  and 
then  a  bouquet  from  Duroc,  and  a  quadrille  with  the  Emperor. 
.  .  .  What  does  not  fall  on  your  head,  you  do  not  see. 
Poniatowski  wishes  to  push  himself  to  the  front.  He  sends 
the  Countess  to  spy  .  .  .  and  you  ..." 

"I  did  not  wish  to  receive  her."  Pani  Walewska  tried  to 
justify  herself. 

"  You  did  not  wish  !  .  .  ,  Fine  policy !  Country  statesman- 
ship !  Another  woman  would  catch  the  advei'saries'  plans,  dis- 
cover plots,  penetrate  into  their  most  secret  thoughts,  and  you 
.  .  .  nothing !  You  are  only  afraid  that  the  Emperor  may  not 
fall  in  love  with  you.  You  have  dreamed  about  the  fairy  tale, 
about  Cinderella  !  Nonsense  !  No  judgment !  no  co-operation  ! 
Useless  .  .  .  useless  trouble  ! " 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  contemptuous  movement  with  his 
hand,  and  went  out  mumbling. 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  freely.  The  reproaches  made  by 
her  husband  were  not  new  ones.  She  had  become  accustomed 
to  them,  but  never  before  had  she  felt  so  hurt  as  to-day. 

Her  husband's  views  never  seemed  so  shallow  to  her  as  to- 
day, and  the  boldness  of  his  accusations,  made  of  other  people, 
L 


146  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

so  impudent.  For  what  meant  his  continual  threatening  and 
boasting  ?  Why  did  he  trifle  with  her  fears  ?  Why  did  he^  her 
husband,  try  to  refer  that  pursuit  begun  by  the  Marshal  of  the 
Court,  and  perhaps  not  by  him  alone,  to  the  desire  of  winning 
him  to  the  Emperor  ? 

Was  it  possible  that  she  did  not  understand  Duroc's  inten- 
tions and  the  looks  addressed  to  her  at  the  ball  ?  Could  it  be 
that  she  owed  everything,  from  the  never-to-be-forgotten  words 
pronounced  at  the  meeting  at  Jabłonna  to  the  Grand  Marshal's 
last  appeal,  to  her  husband's  name,  to  the  illustriousness  of  his 
family  ?  Was  she  really  mistaken  ?  Was  her  husband  right  ? 
But  suppose  he  wished  to  use  her  influence  ? 

Pani  W^alewska  wanted  to  shake  off  that  insulting  suspicion, 
but  the  thought  returned  obstinately,  and  was  strengthened  by 
the  recollection  of  his  ideas  of  Court  life,  and  the  stories  re- 
lating to  the  romantic  life  of  Cosel,  Orzelska,  Koenigsmark, 
and  Grabowska. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  looked  into  the  mirror  and  became 
ashamed  of  her  own  imagination.  She  became  ashamed  of  the 
pride  which  taught  her  to  despise  the  title  of  favourite,  of 
the  honesty  which  could  not  bear  duplicity,  of  her  faith  in  the 
sanctity  of  marriage,  of  the  sincere  modesty  which  did  not 
permit  her  to  see  either  her  own  beauty  nor  the  charm  of  her 
eyes,  nor  the  fascination  of  her  smile. 

Notwithstanding  all  that,  the  crumpled  letter  and  the 
Marshal's  assurance  did  not  cease  tormenting  her,  arousing  her 
resentment  against  her  husband,  her  sister-in-law,  and  all 
around  her,  who,  notwithstanding  her  readiness  to  escape  the 
net  thrown  over  her,  notwithstanding  her  desire  to  escape  even 
the  suspicion  of  the  Emperor's  favours,  notwithstanding  her 
wish  to  hide  from  the  insulting  way  of  gaining  the  husband 
through  his  wife,  weakened  her  vigilance  and  forced  her  to 
remain  and  face  the  peril. 

Pani  Walewska' s  grievance  grew  into  an  unpleasant  amaze- 
/nent,  and  hurt  her  self-esteem. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  did  not  like  her  husband,  but  she 
had  grown  accustomed  to  him,  and  received  all  his  caprices 
with  submission.  And  although  the  Chamberlain's  despotism 
was  not  easy  to  bear,  it  nevertheless  showed  an  old  man's  love. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  147 

the  continual  care,  the  cupidity  of  an  avaricious  man  who 
trembled  for  his  treasure  and  was  awfully  jealous  over  it. 

Up  to  a  short  time  before.  Pani  Walewska  was  obliged  to  be 
very  careful,  for  any  word,  any  question,  caused  an  avalanche  of 
suspicion  and  reproaches. 

And  now,  when  she  almost  asked  her  husband  for  protection, 
when  she  herself  warned  him  about  the  peril,  when  she  wished 
to  escape  that  world  in  which  every  word,  every  look,  every 
bow  of  the  men,  were  snares  for  the  woman,  he  trifles  with  her 
warnings  ;  he  does  not  show  even  that  egotistical  love  ;  he  even 
considers  her  as  not  worthy  of  jealousy. 

The  Princess's  entrance  interrupted  those  thoughts.  The 
Chamberlain's  wife  looked  at  the  Chamberlain's  sister  with 
displeasure.     The  Princess  seemed  to  be  very  sorry. 

"  Marie  !  I  importune  you  !  I  interrupt  your  moment  of 
quiet !     And  you  need  it  so  much  !  so  much  I  " 

"  It  is  true,"  answered  Pani  Walewska  drily. 

"  Do  you  see  how  I  understand  you  ?  .  .  .  but  Vauban  ,  -  . 
begs  that  you  will  not  refuse  her  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you ! 
She  is  very  devoted  to  you  !  " 

The  Princess  half  closed  her  eyes  as  if  thereby  to  emphasise 
Mme.  de  Vauban's  devotion. 

"  But,  if  I  remember  well,  I  have  only  seen  her  twice  in  my 
life,  and  I  do  not  know  if  we  have  exchanged  half  a  dozen 
words." 

The  Princess  sighed. 

"  My  dear  child,  how  superficially  you  take  everything ! 
You  should  hear  with  what  enthusiasm  Vauban  spoke  of  you ! 
She  did  not  have  an  opportunity,  but  she  always  felt  with  you. 
Then  you  do  not  believe  in  the  sympathy  of  hearts  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  know  what  to  answer  to  that. 

"It  may  be,  although      ..." 

"  You  must  receive  her ;  you  ought  to.  In  spite  of  every- 
thing she  has  a  splendid  past  on  her  side !  They  gossip  about 
her,  but  nobody  can  deny  that  she  is  a  woman  of  the  world, 
that  she  has  the  best  and  the  most  refined  manners,  that  she 
comes  of  an  excellent  family.  She  comes  first  to  you ;  she 
disregai'ds  etiquette,  she  who  only  sends  cards  to  ladies  of  the 
best  families  in  retui-n  to  their  visits.     Even  if  ,  .  .  then  you 


148  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

should  not  show  yourself  to  be  ungrateful.  I  told  her  that  j'ou 
are  not  well.  She  was  very  sorry ;  she  almost  had  tears  in  her 
eyes." 

"I  do  not  know  how  I  deserved  .  .  ." 

"  Chere  Mane,  do  this  for  me  !  You  have  not  the  right  to 
reply  to  such  hearty  spnpathy  by  a  commonplace  phrase. 
Receive  her  ;  it  is  your  duty  to  receive  her  !  " 

"But  even  Anastazy  .  .  ." 

"He  is  momentarily  prejudiced,  and  undoubtedly  he  will 
change  his  opinion.  Vauban  did  not  like  him — ah !  it  is  very 
unpleasant  to  admit — but  she  was  right.  We  may  be  frank 
with  each  other.  One  cannot  consider  your  marriage  as  well 
matched.  Up  to  now  Vauban  was  angry  Avith  Anastazy  because 
of  that.  And,  if  I  do  not  share  her  opinion,  it  is  because 
egotism  does  not  permit  me  to  think  that  you  are  a  stranger, 
that  you  do  not  belong  to  our  family.  It  seemed  to  me  that 
even  if  those  bonds  did  not  exist,  even  then  our  relationship 
would  not  be  changed,  would  not  be  less  hearty,  less  sympathetic." 

Here  the  Princess  kissed  Pani  Walewska  noisily  on  the  fore- 
head, and  before  the  latter  could  answer  she  rang  for  the 
servant. 

"Princess  .  .   ." 

"  Nothing,  nothing  ;  leave  that  to  me,"  answered  the  Princess, 
precipitately,  and,  perceiving  the  chambermaid  at  the  door, 
she  ordered  :  "  Show  the  Countess  in  here." 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  became  sorrowful. 

"  Is  it  proper .''  If  it  is  absolutely  necessary  I  will  go  to  the 
drawing-room." 

"  No,  no  !  On  the  contrary  !  You  will  please  the  Countess  ; 
it  Avill  be  a  proof  that  you  welcome  her  heartily  by  setting  aside 
etiquette.   .  .  .  Permit  me  .   .    .  here  is  the  Countess.   .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  turned  her  head  towards  the  door,  at  which 
stood  Mme.  de  Vauban,  and  made  a  few  steps  forward,  wishing 
to  greet  the  new-comer ;  but  the  latter  prevented  her,  and, 
rushing  with  long  steps,  stretched  her  arms  to  Pani  Walewska. 
The  Chamberlain's  Avife  had  not  time  even  to  say  a  word  before 
Mme.  de  Vauban's  hands  began  to  press  hers,  and  the  Countess's 
lips  began  to  kiss  Pani  Wale^^^ska's  face. 

"  I  am  awfully  thankful !     Pray,  believe  me !     I  have  long 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  149 

looked  for  an  opportunity ! "  whispered  Mme.  de  Vauban^  con- 
tinuing her  kisses  and  huggings. 

"  I  also  ! "  answered  Pani  Walewska  mechanically,  dazed 
both  by  the  perfume  emanating  from  Mme.  de  Vauban  and  by 
the  outburst  of  unexpected  cordiality. 

Here  the  Princess  deemed  it  proper  to  take  out  her  fine 
handkerchief^  and  to  move  it  from  her  nose  to  her  eyes,  and 
then  to  sigh  with  relief. 

"  How  happy  I  am  !  " 

"Be  seated  !  "  said  Pani  Walewska,  ridding  herself  at  last  of 
Mme.  de  Vauban's  embrace. 

The  Countess  took  Pani  Walewska  by  the  hand,  and  con- 
ducted her  to  a  sofa  near  the  window. 

"  Here  we  shall  be  comfortable." 

The  Princess  was  moved. 

"  How  glad  I  am !  I  am  going  to  leave  you,  for  I  do  not 
wish  to  be  in  your  way !  I  am  sure  you  have  many  things  to 
tell  each  other." 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  looked  at  her  sister-in-law  with 
despair,  trying  to  make  her  understand  that  her  presence  would 
facilitate  the  conversation  with  Mme.  de  Vauban,  but  Princess 
Jabłonowska  sent  a  kiss,  winked  significantly  at  the  Countess, 
and  went  out. 

Pani  Walewska,  being  left  with  Mme.  de  Vauban  alone,  was 
sincerely  embarrassed,  not  knowing  how  to  begin  the  conversa- 
tion, or  what  to  talk  to  her  about.  All  the  stories  she  had 
heard  about  Mme.  de  Vauban's  unbridled  life  came  to  the 
Chamberlain's  wife's  mind,  and  the  thought  that  she  was  in 
the  presence  of  a  woman  who  had  long  been  an  oracle  of 
elegance,  fashion,  and  refinement,  intimidated  her.  Moreover, 
Pani  Walewska  felt  Mme.  de  Vauban's  inquisitive,  intruding, 
assured  look,  which  magnetised  and  made  her  powerless. 

Mme.  de  Vauban,  however,  hastened  to  break  the  silence. 
She  drew  nearer  to  Pani  Walewska,  put  her  arm  delicately 
round  the  waist  of  the  Chamberlain's  wife,  and  said  gently  : 
"Pray  raise  your  little  head." 

Pani  Walewska  hesitatingly  fulfilled  the  Countess's  wish. 

Mme.  de  Vauban  fell  into  admiration  mingled  with  a  shade 
of  commiseration. 


150  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

"  What  beautiful  eyes  !  What  a  complexion  !  Permit  me  to 
kiss  you  !  You  have  no  idea  how  much  I  care  about  your  fate, 
how  well  I  understand  every  one  of  your  thoughts.  Perhaps  it 
seems  to  you  strange  that  I  should  fall  suddenly  into  such 
a  familiarity  .  .  .  but  I  always  guide  myself  by  presentiments. 
Permit  me  to  express  m3self  in  French.  I  love  your  language, 
but  I  do  not  know  it  as  I  should  like  to.   ..." 

"  Oh^  pray  ..." 

"  What  a  charm !  What  simplicity  in  every  word !  One 
must  not  only  love  you,  but  also  admire  you !  Then  one  must 
look  into  your  heart.  O  Lord '  Do  I  not  see  what  is  going 
on  in  your  noble  heart.''  Do  I  not  guess  how  deserted  it  is, 
how  longing  for  sympathy  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  dropped  her  head ;  the  Countess's  words 
entered  directly  into  her  heart,  and  the  shade  of  sympathy 
trembling  in  Mme.  de  Vauban's  voice  sounded  attractive ;  only 
the  perfumes  dazed  her,  only  the  Countess's  hand,  holding  her 
hand,  seemed  very  cold. 

Mme.  de  Vauban,  after  a  short  pause,  leaned  to  Pani  Walew- 
ska's  ear  and  whispered — 

"  I  have  a  greeting  for  you  from  some  one !  Chevalier  de 
Gorayski." 

''Thank  you ! " 

"  He  is  better,  although  the  wound  is  a  dangerous  one." 

"Then  it  is  true  what  they  said,  that  yesterday  .  .  ." 

"  Quite  true.  He  spent  a  very  bad  night.  A  sword-thrust 
...  he  suffers  very  much  .  .  .  one  does  not  know  how  all  that 
will  end.  .  .  ." 

"  Is  the  wound  so  dangerous } " 

"  In  the  first  place  the  wound,  and  then  mixing  in  the  affair 
of  the  field  gendarmery ;  and  besides,  the  Emperor's  name  was 
mentioned  several  times  during  the  fray.  .  ,  .  One  may  fear 
serious  responsibilities.  Gorayski  was  not  prudent.  Herceau 
passionate  as  usual." 

"  Poor  Gorayski !  " 

Mme.  de  Vauban  pressed  Pani  Walewska's  hand. 

"  How  painful !  " 

"  Undoubtedly  .  if  he  had  to  suffer.  .  .  ." 

"  No,  one  cannot  allow  tliat !     To-day  I  am  going  to  beg  the 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  151 

Prince  .  .  .  Pepi  must  find  out  the  truth ;  the  Prince  of  Berg 
is  fond  of  him,  or,  if  necessary,  he  will  go  to  the  Emperor  him- 
self. ,  .  .  We  shall  do  everything.    One  must  protect  him  .  , 
it  is  our  duty." 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  movement  of  uneasiness. 

''Excuse  me,  but  I  do  not  understand." 

"So  much  the  better,"  answered  Mme.  de  Vauban,  with 
animation.  "  You  must  not  expose  yourself  .  .  .  you  ought 
not !  Leave  Gorayski  to  me ;  I  shall  do  everything  in  my 
power.  .  .  .  One  must  act  quickly  !    He  loves  you  very  much." 

Pani  Walewska  blushed. 

"  Excuse  me  for  having  touched  such  a  delicate  point." 

"  You  are  mistaken — I  am  Gorayski's  friend." 

"But  I  understand  all  that.  You  knew  each  other  from 
childhood ;  you  found  out  when  it  was  too  late.  ,  .  .  You  have 
been  very  strong  ;  he  is  crushed  by  pain  ;  jealousy  devours  him  ; 
he  suffers  because  you  are  not  happy,  because  at  the  price  of 
such  great  sacrifices  you  have  not  purchased  even  quiet  for 
yourself.     He  suffers  doubly." 

"  I  did  not  give  him  any  reason." 

"  I  am  sure  of  it ;  it  is  difficult,  however,  not  to  appreciate 
such  an  attachment,  especially  in  surroundings  which  understand 
us  so  little,  so  little ;  it  comprehends  not  our  desires,  thoughts, 
longings.  ...  I  often  thought  of  you,  I  often  wondered.  The 
emptiness  into  which  you  were  pushed  would  break  the  strongest 
woman.     What  a  strength  of  mind  you  must  have  !  " 

"But  what  threatens  Gorayski?"  asked  Pani  Walewska, 
whom  Mme.  de  Vauban's  veiled  words  began  to  irritate. 

The  Countess  moved  her  head  sadly. 

"Truly,  I  do  not  know  what  to  say.  There  was  a  quarrel. 
Herceau  saw  a  rival  in  Gorayski,  and  he  did  not  see  the  third 
person.  Some  words  offensive  to  his  Majesty  were  spoken.  It 
is  true  that  the  w^orth  of  such  a  majesty  may  be  questioned. 
.  .  .  Herceau  has  disappeared.  Gorayski,  wounded,  could  not 
run  away ;  the  whole  responsibility  will  fall  on  him  !  Bonaparte 
does  not  forgive  easily  !  " 

"Then  if  that  is  the  case,  there  is  a  great  mistake.  I  can 
assure  you  that  the  Emperor  has  not  a  greater  admirer  than 
Gorayski.     He  is  devoted  to  him  body  and  soul ;  he  was  the 


152  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

first  to  join  the  guard  of  honour ;  he  persuaded  the  young  men 
to  follow  his  example." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  smiled  indulgently. 

"  It  is  true^  it  was  so  yesterday !  It  w^as  so  undoubtedly. 
For  could  he  imagine  that  that  admired  conqueror^  great  com- 
mander, powerful  iisurper,  could  think  of  taking  away  his  only 
treasure,  the  heart  of  the  Avoman  for  whom  he  had  sacrificed 
so  much  ?  .  .   ." 

"  Madame,  I  do  not  understand  all  that." 

"  Natui'ally.  Is  a  beautiful  and  pure  flower  conscious  of  its 
charm  ?  Does  a  star  know  the  strength  of  its  light  ?  All  admire 
it,  all  bend  their  knees ;  the  troubadours  sing  their  songs,  the 
poets  tune  their  lutes,  the  knights  put  on  their  armour  and 
fight,  and  she  shines  majestically,  quiet  for  ever,  unconscious  of 
it  all ! " 

"A  very  beautiful  comparison,  but  I  cannot  guess  .  ,  ." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  bent  over  Pani  Walewska,  pressed  her  hand 
more  closely,  and  said  with  emphasis :  "  Then  you  do  not  even 
guess  the  sentiment  you  have  aroused  in  Napoleon?" 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  grew  pale,  but  not  losing  her  self- 
control,  made  a  negative  movement  with  her  head.  The 
Countess  looked  at  her  coolly. 

"  I  was  sure  of  it !  Well,  then,  the  Emperor  loves  you  madly ! 
He  loves  you  as  a  man  does  who  has  not  much  time  for  love. 
He  thinks  of  you  constantly;  he  repeats  your  name  continually! 
He  torments  Duroc ;  he  leaves  Corvisart  no  peace.  He,  who 
until  now  trampled  on  everything,  who  was  accustomed  to 
break  every  obstacle,  to  overthrow  every  State,  he  is  humble ; 
perhaps  .  .  .  he  would  not  hesitate  to  give  you  half  of  his  life, 
to  sacrifice  his  power,  if  he  alone  could  kneel  at  your  feet  and 
look  into  your  eyes  !  .  .   ." 

"Why  do  you  speak  in  that  way  to  me?"  asked  Pani 
Walewska  in  a  whisper. 

"  Because  I  wish  to  show  you  the  terrible  peril  hanging 
over  Gorayski's  head.  I  wish  to  help  you  in  this  difficult 
moment  of  your  life !  Ah  !  you  do  not  need  either  to  justify 
yourself  or  explain  anything  to  me.  I  guess  your  painful 
surprise,  your  hurt  ambition,  and  the  loveliness  which  you  feel 
now  more  keenly  than  ever  !     Do  not  deny  it.     I  know  how  the 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  153 

Prince  of  Friul  treated  you !  It  was  shameful  of  him !  The 
only  thing  that  justified  him  is  infatuation !  To  people  like 
him,  the  name  of  Napoleon  is  sufficient  to  make  them  forget 
all  considerations,  all  divine  and  human  laws,  to  make  them 
wonder  that  anyone  dares  to  oppose  any  scruples,  any  ideas, 
any  principles  to  Bonaparte.  Yes,  he  acted  in  good  faith,  and 
he  did  not  suppose  that  he  would  be  justly  defeated ;  he  did 
not  foresee  that  he  would  be  an  unsuccessful  messenger.  Dear 
Mary ! — permit  me  to  call  you  by  your  name — I  learned  all  this 
by  accident !  I  will  tell  you  that  the  whole  Court  is  stirred  up ; 
they  are  trying  to  find  some  means  to  persuade  you  how  unwise 
you  are.  They  are  searching  for  a  way ;  they  would  like  to 
win  you ;  they  tremble  that  their  master  may  frown,  that  he 
may  scold  them,  because  they  cannot  be  useful  to  him  in  this 
matter.  Just  imagine,  they  came  to  me !  Why  should  I  con- 
ceal it  ?  A  while  since  Duroc  called  on  me  ;  he  begged  me,  he 
besought  me  to  use  my  influence  with  you  !  Blind  man  !  Would 
I  undertake  such  a  humiliating  role !  I  could  hardly  get  rid  of 
the  bore !  But  what  is  the  most  amusing  is  that  the  Marshal 
almost  by  force  persuaded  me  to  take  a  letter  for  you !  Here 
it  is  !     You  guess  from  whom  it  is .'' " 

"  Pray,  return  it  to  the  Marshal." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  laughed. 

"  Ah  !  what  for  }  You  can  easily  make  believe  .  .  .  that  you 
do  not  understand  its  contents !  It  is  true  that  I  never  supposed 
that  the  cifoi/en  Bonaparte  was  so  sentimental !  Only  listen: 
'Madame, — Perchance  this  third  letter  may  produce  more 
effect.  Have  I  deserved  to  be  treated  thus  }  It  is  not  I,  but 
you  that  came  to  me,  and  having  taken  my  heart,  you  run 
away,  you  hide  yourself,  you  avoid  me !  Have  you  a  right  to 
refuse  me  that  morsel  of  happiness  which  would  be  given  to  me 
if  you  answered  but  one  word  ? '     Very  well  written,  is  it  not .''" 

Pani  Walewska  was  tearing  her  handkerchief  nervously. 

Mme.  de  Vauban  became  grave. 

"  Pray,  do  not  be  angry  with  me  for  an  involuntary  joke  !  I 
perfectly  understand  that  this  latter  has  a  very  serious  side ! 
It  is  an  aggression  !  It  is  true  that  the  Emperor  is  justified, 
for  you  stood  first  in  his  way.  But  has  he  any  right  to  ask  you 
to  sacrifice  yourself  even  because  of  that  ?  " 


154  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  trembled. 

"  Did  you  come  here  to  torment  me  ? — to  disturb  the  rest  of 
my  peace  ?  " 

Mme.  de  Vauban  closed  Pani  Walewska's  mouth  with  a  noisy 
kiss. 

"Noble^  worthy,  good,  and  beautiful!  "she  said  enthusiasti- 
cally. "  I  wanted  to  have  you  always  so.  I  imagined  you  so ! 
My  presentiments  did  not  deceive  me !  You  alone  are  able 
to  think  and  to  act  in  this  way !  I  am  so  proud  and  happy  at 
it !  In  our  times  it  is  an  unusual  phenomenon,  known  only 
from  tales  and  novels !  Excuse  my  boldness !  I  permitted 
myself  to  be  carried  away  by  a  malicious  suspicion ;  I  dared  to 
test  you !  That  letter  was  really  written  by  the  Emperor,  but 
your  principles  are  stronger,  higher  than  his  crown,  than  his 
victorious  eagles  !  Command — I  can  do  much  ;  I  will  strain  all 
my  forces  to  help  you  !  " 

In  Mme.  de  Vauban's  words  there  was  such  warmth  and  such 
sincerity  that  Pani  Walewska  was  moved ;  the  tears  shone  in 
her  eyes.  It  was  long  since  anybody  had  spoken  to  her  with 
so  much  heart. 

"  You  are  so  good  !     I  would  like  to  justify  myself.  .  .  ." 

"  You  have  done  so  already.  Yes,  dear  Mary,  it  is  not  only 
to-day  that  you  have  begun  to  fight — your  heart  and  your  duty 
have  long  struggled ;  any  woman  in  your  place  would  have 
found  many  excuses  to  surrender.  Even  should  you  weaken 
now,  it  would  not  lessen  your  great  qualities.  The  situation  is  a 
very  difficult  one,  but  we  shall  succeed,  provided  we  act  quietly 
and  with  prudence  ;  we  shall  find  the  means.  .  ,   ." 

"  I  would  like  to  leave,  to  escape,  but  they  will  not  allow 
it ! "  complained  Pani  Walewska,  who  could  not  control  herself 
any  longer. 

"And  it  is  well  that  you  should  remain.  Remember  that 
for  him  distance  does  not  exist.   .  .   ." 

"Then  you  suppose  .  .  .  ?"  asked  Pani  Walewska,  who  re- 
membered Duroc's  words. 

"  Everything !  From  him  one  may  expect  the  worst.  .  .  . 
However,  here  in  Warsaw,  in  case  of  need,  you  will  undoubtedly 
find  support,  help  ;  here  he  must  count  with  public  opinion. 
Only  you  must  not  lose  courage." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  155 

"  Give  me  advice  ;  what  shall  I  do  in  order  to  avoid  his 
attacks?  I  have  been  trying  in  vain  for  several  days  to  find 
some  means.  .  .  .  You  should  have  heard  the  Marshal  to-day.  .  .  . 
How  sorry  I  am  for  that  stupid  curiosity  which  made  me  go  to 
Jabłonna;  but  could  I  think  .  .  .  The  Emperor  aroused  enthu- 
siasm in  me — nothing  else !  I  had  a  talk  with  the  Princess ; 
she  told  my  husband  all  about  it.  I  thought  that  they  would 
allow  me  to  withdraw^  but  they  do  not ;  they  simply  try  to 
persuade  me  that  I  am  mistaken.  You  are  the  first  person  who 
tells  me  that  my  apprehensions  are  not  groundless.  .  .  .  Yes, 
I  am  not  mistaken.  ...  I  wish  I  were.  .  .  .  Because  I  would 
not  .  .  .  for  the  greatest  favours,  for  any  riches,  for  anj-thing 
in  this  world.   .  .   ." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  nervously. 

"What  am  I  talking  about?  But  I  am  not  accustomed  to 
your  world.   ...   I  am  afraid  of  all  of  you.   ..." 

"But,  dear  child — that  world  is  not  so  frightful — you  will 
see.  .  .  ." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  kissed  Pani  Walewska  again. 

"  What  ideas,  what  sad  thoughts !  .  .  .  A  little  courage,  and 
your  life  will  be  strewn  with  roses,  which  are  due  to  your 
beauty.  ..." 

"  What  are  you  aiming  at  ? " 

"  Ah,  at  nothing !  simply  a  presentiment  that  fate  cannot  be 
so  cruel  for  you  always.  .  .  ." 

"  I  do  not  expect  anything  from  it.  If  only  it  had  such 
surprises  in  store  for  me.  ..." 

"Do  you  wish  to  avoid  them?     Then  listen  to  me." 


CHAPTER   IX 

THE  conversation  with  Madame  de  Vanban  gave  courage 
to  Pani  Walewska.  She  told  the  Countess  about  all  her 
apprehensions^  and  she  found  indulgence  and  appreciation ;  she 
threw  away  the  burden  of  thoughts  that  were  crowding  upon 
her,  and  now  she  looked  quietly  into  the  future. 

Madame  de  Vauban  kept  her  promises ;  she  protected  Pani 
Walewska  so  well,  that,  thanks  to  the  Countess's  influence,  the 
Chamberlain's  wife  was  at  once  freed  from  her  husband's  tire- 
some control  and  the  Princess's  intruding  remarks.  The 
Chamberlain,  who  until  now  had  disliked  Madame  de  Vauban 
very  much,  and  accused  her  of  intriguing  for  the  Poniatowskis, 
suspecting  her,  not  without  reason,  of  sympathy  with  the 
Bourbons,  did  not  even  try  to  resist  the  Countess's  absolute 
rule,  and  her  rule  was  so  sudden  that  Pani  WalcAVska  herself, 
the  same  day,  could  not  imagine  how  she  could  live  without 
the  good-hearted  and  indulgent  Countess. 

Madame  de  Vauban  would  not  leave  the  Chamberlain's  wife 
even  for  a  moment,  and  guessed  every  one  of  her  wishes.  One 
word  was  sufficient ;  therefore,  Madame  de  Vauban  gave  her 
servants  the  strictest  oi'ders  that  the  Chamberlain's  wife  would 
not  receive  anybody ;  the  slightest  creak  of  the  Chamberlain's 
boots  announcing  his  coming  to  his  wife's  apartment,  made 
Madame  de  Vauban  rush  to  him  and  stop  him  at  the  door. 

It  was  sufficient  for  Pani  Walewska  to  doubt  whether  her 
blue  dress  was  becoming  to  her  to  make  Mme.  de  Vauban 
declare  in  a  most  solemn  manner,  although  the  Princess  insisted 
upon  its  being  worn,  that  the  frock  was  too  loud,  and  that  the 
black  dress  was  the  only  one  that  would  suit  Pani  Walewska's 
beauty,  and  also  represent  the  seriousness  with  which  she  was 
preparing  to  arm  herself. 

156 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  157 

From  hour  to  hour  Pani  Walewska's  confidence  in  the 
Countess  increased  so  much,  that  when  towards  evening  Madame 
de  Vauban  was  going  to  leave,  the  Chamberlain's  wife  regretted 
her  departure  sincerely,  and  besought  her  to  keep  her  promise 
and  come  the  next  day  to  accompany  her  to  Prince  Borghese's 
dinner-party. 

When  the  Countess  was  gone,  when  Pani  Walewska  reviewed 
in  her  mind  the  whole  day,  when  she  remembered  that  until 
very  recently  she  had  been  prejudiced  against  Mme.  de 
Vauban,  and  that  she  could  not  refrain  from  a  malicious  smile 
at  the  sound  of  her  name,  she  felt  a  kind  of  regret,  a  kind 
of  pricking  of  her  conscience. 

She  was  so  unjust,  she  had  judged  her  so  superficially,  so 
lightly,  she  had  spoken  of  her  so  injuriously !  It  was  true 
that  she  could  not  deny  certain  facts.   .  .  . 

Monsieur  de  A^auban's  strange  position  towards  Prince  Joseph 
Poniatowski,  and  then  those  strange  stories.  .  .  .  Who  knows 
who  was  guilty  ?  Sometimes  life  is  so  strange  !  A  slander 
sticks  so  easily  to  a  woman !  The  best  proof  of  it  was  herself. 
She  had  not  sinned  even  in  her  thoughts,  and,  notwithstandmg 
that,  what  an  amount  of  persuasion  she  was  obliged  to  use  in 
order  to  convince  that  noble-hearted  Countess  that  she  felt 
nothing  for  Gorayski  but  pure  friendship,  that  she  grieved  over 
his  unshared  sentiment  for  her,  that  perhaps  she  had  been 
guilty  of  a  Httle  bit  of  coquetry,  but  that  she  had  never  loved 
him,  and  that  even  her  badly-assorted  marriage  had  not  aroused 
in  her  either  a  desire  of  emotions  or  a  longing  after  love. 

Madame  de  Vauban' s  incredulity  in  that  respect,  her  in- 
quisitiveness  about  Gorayski,  seemed  to  Pani  W^aleAvska  to  be 
intrusive.  As  to  the  rest,  she  saw  in  the  Countess  reflections  of 
her  own  thoughts,  ideas,  views  and  opinions  ;  and  that  reflection 
was  so  strong,  so  many-sided,  so  complete,  that  it  seemed  to 
Pani  Walewska  that  she  had  lived  with  the  Countess  years  and 
years,  and  that  at  last  she  had  found  in  her  a  dear  and  sincere 
friend ;  that  now  her  isolation  was  ended,  and  that  at  every 
moment  she  would  have  advice,  help,  and  hearty  sympathy. 

Pani  Walewska  had  long  wished  for  such  a  friend. 

For  a  long  time  she  was  very  fond  of  Jeannette  Radziwil, 
whom  she  had  met  at  boarding-school :  but  Jeannette^  notwith- 


158  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

standing  her  affection  for  Pani  Walewska,  hurt  her  very  much 
by  her  aristocratic  ideas ;  and  then  Jeannette  dishked  deeper 
thought  and  wider  horizons. 

When,  after  several  years  of  separation,  she  again  met 
Jeannette,  she  con\dnced  herself  that,  notwithstanding  an 
apparent  cordiality,  she  could  now  less  than  ever  understand 
the  young  Princess ;  that  she  was  disappointed  with  her,  and 
therefore  she  did  not  try  to  enter  into  her  friend's  soul,  and  to 
make  their  friendship  lasting. 

Amid  this  isolation  and  uncertainty,  when  she  so  much 
wished  for  a  hearty  word,  Mme.  de  Vauban  appeared. 

Pani  Walewska  thought  that  the  Countess  must  have  some 
secret  aim ;  that  she  came  to  her  prompted  by  something 
different  from  that  sympathy  which  was  so  difficult  to  describe. 
She  almost  read  insincerity  in  Mme.  de  Vauban's  face ;  she 
could  distinguish  false  tones  in  her  voice ;  she  felt  that  her 
hands  were  cold,  but,  notwithstanding  all  that,  she  did  not 
hesitate  to  accept  the  Countess's  friendship. 

Pani  Walewska's  face  burned  with  the  desire  of  confession,  of 
finding  an  echo  to  her  thoughts  and  apprehensions.  She  did 
not  ask  whether  the  person  who  was  offering  the  refreshing 
drink  had  some  secret  aim  in  doing  so.  She  di*ank  the  cup  and 
felt  better.  She  was  alone,  forsaken,  bound  by  her  husband's 
pettishness,  who  looked  in  every  box,  every  drawer ;  and  at 
last,  thanks  to  the  help  of  the  Countess,  she  could  breathe 
freely. 

Only  yesterday  she  was  afraid  of  her  husband's  valet,  who 
had  an  influence  over  his  master,  and  who  knew  how  to  use 
it  in  order  to  annoy  her.  Now  she  was  mistress,  and  it  was 
thanks  to  Mme.  de  Vauban. 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  try  to  find  what  means  Mme.  de 
Vauban  used  in  order  to  assure  her  entire  independence.  She 
knew  only  that  Mme.  de  Vauban  had  had  three  long  talks  with 
the  Chamberlain,  that  the  Princess  was  present  during  the 
conversation,  and  that  the  result  was  of  great  importance  to 
herself. 

After  that  day,  so  full  of  impressions  and  changes.  Pani 
Walewska  rose  earlier  than  ever,  put  on  a  warm  dressing-gown, 
and  began  to  dress,  joking  and  teasing  her  chambermaid,  and 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  159 

trying  to  find  out  whether  her  independence  was  still  lasting. 
There  were  many  opportunities  for  this. 

In  the  first  place  she  asked  Baptiste,  in  the  Chamberlain's 
name,  whether  he  was  going  to  serve  breakfast ;  said  that 
she  would  not  go  to  the  dining-room,  and  that  she  would  have 
it  served  in  her  apartment.  She  sent  away  Joubert,  who  came 
by  her  husband's  desire.  She  did  not  receive  Pan  Ksavery's 
wife,  who  called  on  her.  She  ordered  the  portraits  of  her 
husband's  first  two  wives  to  be  taken  from  her  boudoir  and 
hung  in  the  dining-room.  Only  on  one  occasion  her  joyfulness 
was  stopped.  A  big  bouquet  of  violets  was  handed  to  her,  with 
an  explanation  that  it  was  brought  by  a  grenadier  of  the 
Guards,  and  that  the  Chamberlain  sent  it  to  his  wife. 

Pani  Walewska,  without  hesitation,  ordered  the  bouquet  to 
be  returned  to  the  grenadier,  with  an  explanation  that  she  was 
not  well,  and  that  she  could  not  bear  the  perfume  of  the  violets. 

When  the  chambermaid  had  gone  with  the  bouquet.  Pani 
Walewska  regretted  her  impulsiveness,  for  she  was  persuaded 
that  her  husband  would  be  very  angry,  aud  would  not  permit 
such  an  excuse. 

But  the  maid  returned  and  told  her  that  "  his  lordship  made 
a  grimace,  but  ordered  her  to  carry  out  her  ladyship's  wish." 

Pani  Walewska  could  hardly  believe  it,  and  she  told  the 
servant  to  repeat  the  answer  again,  and  to  relate  to  her  all  the 
details  that  accompanied  it. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  felt  something  like  gratitude  towards 
her  husband  for  respecting  her  wish,  and  not  even  attempting 
to  change  the  form  of  her  answer,  as  formerly  he  would  have 
done. 

After  that  small  cloud.  Pani  Walewska's  beautiful  face 
brightened  up  with  peace  and  confidence.  She  did  not  bother 
herself  about  Prince  Borghese's  dinner-party.  She  would 
not  be  there  alone.  Mme.  de  Vauban  would  accompany  her, 
and  with  her  she  could  look  boldly  into  the  eyes  even  of  a 
whole  regiment  of  such  Durocs.  Then  she  would  be  able  to 
find  means  to  get  rid  of  his  confidences,  for  now  she  had  her 
own  will.  And  if  the  Emperor — then  she  would  tell  him  what 
she  thought ;  with  one  word  she  would  cut  off  all  his  hopes ; 
and  he — he  is  too  chivalrous,  he  must  carry  his  head  too  high,  he 


160  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

must  be  too  proud  not  to  be  magnanimous^  noble  !  Who  knows 
.  ,  .  suppose  there  should  be  an  opportunity — she  would  tell 
him  about  Paul.  He  had  long  deserved  a  captain's  epaulettes, 
for  he  had  served  in  the  Polish  legions  for  two  years.  He  was 
already  a  lieutenant ;  he  had  twice  been  reported  for  advance- 
ment. .  .  .  Ah  !  if  she  could !  What  a  joy  it  would  be !  .  .  . 
She  would  say  to  the  Emperor:  "Your  Majesty/'  or  simply, 
"Sire  ...  I  am  not  begging  for  a  favoui*,  but  I  ask  you  for 
justice  !  "  01-,  "Sire  .  .  .  permit  me  to  sjieak  in  favour  of  one  of 
your  officers." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  heartily  at  that  thought.  If  only 
she  could  have  an  opportunity,  she  would  tell  him — she  must 
tell  him  !     Paul  \rould  be  so  happy  ! — so  happy ! 

She  was  happy  too.  She  sat  at  a  spinet,  played  a  few 
chords,  and  began  to  sing  a  gay  French  song.  Her  voice,  at 
first  low  and  timid,  came  forth  from  her  throat  fuller  and  fuller, 
bolder  and  bolder,  till  finally  it  resounded  with  its  natural 
metallic  sonority. 

An  innocent  song,  playful,  flitting  like  a  butterfly,  vibrating 
with  longer  and  longer,  deeper  and  deeper  sounds.  Pani 
Walewska's  lips  repeated  the  words  of  the  song,  and  its  melody 
seemed  to  be  an  unconscious,  thoughtless  confession  of  her  soul. 
In  her  singing  there  was  something  of  rustic  simplicit}^,  full  of 
unconscious  longing,  and  something  of  the  song  of  a  bird  hidden 
in  a  bush.  The  sun  beams  with  golden  rays,  the  earth  breathes 
with  balmy  verdure,  and  the  bird  sings  affectingly,  confiding  to 
the  echo  its  secret  sorrows  that  vibrate  in  every  trill. 

Pani  Walewska  sang  without  knowing  why  Prince  Ornano's 
expressive  face  appeared  L-efore  her  mind,  why  his  voice  was 
coming  to  her  in  a  mysterious  whisper ;  why  she  saw  Gorayski, 
and  why  she  connected  Duroc's  voice  with  him;  Avhy  the  modest 
country  house  in  which  she  was  born  was  shining  Avith  lordly 
magnificence ;  why  she  heard  the  rustling  of  Imden  trees  at 
Wale  wice. 

The  subdued  laughter  of  Mme.  de  Vauban  startled  Pani 
Walewslca,  v/ho  rushed  from  the  spinet  almost  ashamed,  and 
greeted  the  Countess. 

"  You  sing  like  a  shepherdess  !     What  a  lovely  gift !  " 

''Ah,  to  pass  the  time.  .  .  ." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  161 

"On  the  contrary  ...  I  listened  to  the  whole  song  .  .  .  very 
romantic  indeed." 

^'Let  us  not  talk  about  that.  I  am  so  glad  you  came,  for 
I  must  tell  you  frankly  that  I  feared  your  kindness,  which  I  have 
not  deserved,  was  only  a  dream." 

Mme.  de  Vanban  was  moved  by  such  affection. 

"  You  have  no  idea  what  a  pleasure  it  is  to  me.  I  dreamed  of 
having  some  one  like  you  to  myself.  .  .  .  Well,  we  have  time. 
I  ordered  my  frock  to  be  brought  here— it  would  be  awful  to  be 
separated  again." 

"  I  do  not  know  how  to  thank  you." 

"  Dear  child,  it  is  rather  I  who  should  thank  you.  Tell  me 
about  yourself.  I  wish  to  know  everything — what  3'ou  were 
thinking  of,  what  you  were  doing.  About  everything.  When  I 
got  back  home  I  was  afraid  that,  after  having  thought  things 
over,  you  would  think  me  eccentric ;  that  my  sincere  desire  to 
become  friendly  with  you  at  once  would  make  you  think  that  I 
am  intruding  !  I  do  not  recognise  myself!  Imagine  to  yourself, 
I  did  not  believe  in  a  friendship  between  two  women,  and  I  did 
not  try  to  prove  that  my  belief  was  wrong.  There  is  such  in- 
sincerity and  falsehood  in  our  world — but  you  have  attracted  me 
at  once,  you  are  so  sincerely  childlike.  Do  you  remember  v/hen 
we  met  at  the  Potockis  or  Gutakowskis  after  j^our  wedding?" 

^'At  the  Wojczynskis ! "  corrected  Pani  Walewska,  who  at  once 
recollected  the  moment  when,  at  their  first  meeting,  Mme.  de 
Vauban  deigned  hardly  to  nod  to  her,  and  having  looked  at  her 
from  head  to  foot,  turned  av/ay. 

"^  Ah,  yes,  at  the  Wojczynskis.  I  could  not  forget  that  moment ; 
I  felt  towards  you  sometliing  that  cannot  be  defined  !  " 

The  Countess  ended  these  reminiscences  by  a  warm  kiss,  and 
began  to  riddle  Pani  Walewska  with  questions. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  told  her  all  that  had  happened  that 
morning,  leaving  the  story  of  the  bouquet  to  the  end. 

Mme.  de  Vauban  listened  very  attentively  to  Pani  Walewska's 
confidences,  approving  indulgently  of  everything,  and  only  Avhen 
she  heard  how  the  Guard  Avas  sent  away  she  became  suddenly 
sad,  and  sighed.  Pani  Walewska  was  confused,  and  hastened  to 
justify  herself. 

"  Could  I  act  differently .''     I  did  not  even  ask  who  sent  the 

M 


162  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

bouquet.  I  do  not  wish  for  such  homages,  neither  have  I  the 
right  to  receive  them." 

"  Yes  .  .  .  but  one  never  refuses  flowers." 

"  Never  }  " 

"  YeSj  my  dearest,  for  flowers  not  only  personify  remembrance, 
but  also  respect  and  worship.  I  do  not  know  where  I  have  read 
that  the  most  cruel  gods  consider  flowers  to  be  the  most  agree- 
able sacrifice  !  As  it  seems,  the  cruel  and  merciless  eyes  of  the 
Gorgon  grew  kinder  at  the  sight  of  a  flower.  A  flower  pays 
homage  by  its  touch ;  a  flower  cannot  harm — it  is  pure  even  when 
people  tiy  to  express  their  thoughts  by  it !  From  a  flower  there 
always  breathes  nobleness  of  nature,  it  always  brings  beauty  to 
mind." 

"  But  sometimes  it  hides  poison ;  it  makes  one  dizzy." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  half  closed  her  glassy  eyes. 

'^  If  one  does  not  know  how  to  handle  it ;  if  one  leaves  it  in 
a  closed  bedroom ;  if  one  searches  in  it  for  that  which  it  does 
not  contain." 

"Yes,  but  I  was  afraid  I  should  find  in  the  bouquet  another 
letter." 

"Why  should  you  look  for  it.''"  answered  Mme.  de  Vauban 
drily. 

"But  .  .  .  involuntarily.  .  .  ."    Pani  Walewska  said  in  defence. 

"Then  one  could  pretend  that  one  did  not  find  the  letter." 

"Yes  ...  it  is  true!  although  it  is  difficult  to  dissemble." 

'•But  one  must,  one  must,  my  dear  child  !  I  admire  you  just 
the  same  .  .  .  then  you  are  not  even  anxious  to  learn  who  sent 
the  bouquet?" 

"Yes,  very  much!"  Pani  Walewska  returned.  "Only  I  did 
not  dare  to  ask,  I  trembled  from  fear  to  hear  the  name." 

"  Whose  .^" 

"The  Emperor's." 

Madame  de  Vauban  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  Then  you  were  afraid  that  such  an  honour  might  happen  to 
you !  Excuse  me,  but  I  do  not  understand  you  !  You  know 
that  your  Emperor  will  always  be  for  me  General  Bonaparte, 
but  I  must  say  that  it  is  very  noble  on  his  part.  Notwithstand- 
ing everything,  he  is  to-day  the  personification  of  might.  And 
this   ruler,   whom   your    own   country  proclaimed  a  demigod. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  163 

humiliates  himself,  he  uses  a  flower,  which  alone  can  be  his 
interpreter,  which  alone  can  explain  his  thoughts,  which  means 
more  than  a  thousand  servants,  than  millions  ready  to  die  when 
he  frowns,  than  a  forest  of  bayonets,  than  that  might  which 
made  the  foundations  of  the  world  tremble  !  How  poetic  !  .  .  . 
Tell  me,  is  it  possible  that  such  homage,  such  honour,  such 
respect  paid  to  you,  could  be  unpleasant  to  you,  could  not 
attract  you,  could  insult  you  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  rubbed  her  forehead  as  if  wishing  to  chase 
away  the  thoughts  crowding  into  it. 

"  You  see  that  already  you  have  some  doubts  !  Yes,  yes  ;  one 
accepts  a  flower  always  and  from  anybody — but  it  is  done.  For 
the  future  we  shall  be  kinder.  Although  pei-haps  it  is  well 
that  you  did  not  accept  the  bouquet !  I  imagine  that,  if  it  was 
sent  by  the  Emperor  .  .  .  the  Marshal  reports  ..." 

"You  must  not  speak  in  that  way  to  me." 

"Why  not .''  On  the  contrary,  the  thing  is  worthy  of  thought. 
Do  you  know  that  I  am  persuaded  that  your  refusal  will  pro- 
duce a  contrary  effect." 

"  How  is  that  ?  " 

"  It  would  be  very  natural !  a  little  knowledge  of  human 
nature  !  The  Emperor  conceived  a  sympathy  for  you — do  not 
deny  it — and  tries  to  express  it.  Until  now  he  has  been 
accustomed  to  everybody  submitting  to  his  will,  but  he  finds 
resistance  in  you.  A  small  circumstance,  but  sufficient  to  irri- 
tate him  and  to  ai'ouse  in  him  a  desire  to  conquer  the 
opposition." 

Pani  Walewska  grew  confused  at  that  logical  deduction. 

"  Then  you  suppose  .  ,   ." 

"That  if  a  woman,  knowing  the  art  of  coquetry,  would  like 
to  arouse  in  somebody  a  more  durable  sentiment,  she  would 
undoubtedly  act  as  you  do  !  " 

"  But  my  intentions  could  not  be  doubted  !  " 

"  By  me ;  but  people — and  then  the  question  is  not  about 
them,  but  about  the  result !  " 

"  No,  you  are  mistaken  ;  you  must  be  mistaken  !  Otherwise 
it  would  be  dreadful  for  me  !     The  Marshal  cannot  doubt !  " 

"  Yes,  but  I  repeat  that  there  is  no  question  of  doubts,  but  of 
the  spirit  of  contradiction,  of  that  which  makes  everything  that 


164  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

one  gets  with  more  difficulty,  become  dearer,  more  attractive, 
more  agreeable." 

Tears  appeared  in  Pani  Walewska's  eyes.  Madame  de  Vauban 
hastened  to  attenuate  her  predictions. 

"  My  dear  child,  you  must  not  take  the  matter  so  seriously, 
and  grow  sorrowful  before  the  time.  I  only  want  to  prove  to 
you  that  your  inaccessibility  is  a  bad  Aveapon,  that  your  sending 
back  the  bouquet  was  too  rash  !  " 

"  I  do  not  know  myself  ...  I  do  not  give  any  reason  ...  I 
avoid !     Perhaps  I  am  mistaken.     Then  give  me  good  advice." 

Madame  de  Vauban  kissed  Pani  Walewska. 

"  I  thank  you  heartily  for  such  confidence  !  Do  not  lose  your 
self-possession.  The  Court  laws,  customs,  and  ways,  are 
different.  Listen  to  me.  You  have  not  any  idea  how  much  I 
feel  obliged  for  your  confidence !  Be  certain  that  I  shall  not 
permit  you  to  be  wronged.  Only  you  must  promise  me  absolute 
obedience.  To  your  noble  nature  many  things  may  seem  strange 
and  in  contradiction  to  your  ideas,  but  the  Court  is  quite  differ- 
ent from  the  life  in  which  you  were  brought  up.  Life  flows 
swiftly  and  turbulently  in  it,  and  only  those  come  out  safe  who 
swim  with  its  stream.  Yes,  only  those  who  swim  Avith  the 
current  come  out  safe  ;  the  most  daring  person  who  wishes  to 
step  across  the  waves  is  drowned.  Do  not  be  frightened,  you 
have  every  chance  of  winning.  ..." 

"  Would  it  not  be  better  to  explain  to  my  husband  ?  He  has 
some  ambitious  plans,  which  I  cannot  understand.  Till  now  he 
has  not  occupied  any  prominent  position,  and  now  he  is  talking 
in  such  a  way  that  sometimes  I  think  he  has  lost  his  mind.  As 
it  seems,  the  Emperor  has  a  particular  regard  for  him,  but  it 
must  be  only  a  temporary  favour,  on  which  he  builds  very  ambi- 
tious plans.  I  ought  not  to  talk  like  this  to  you,  but  I  wish  you 
to  know  everything.  My  husband  is  not  well.  After  every 
long  reception  he  is  ill,  and  his  going  much  into  society  ruins 
his  already  bad  health.  Some  one  should  talk  to  him.  You 
could  do  it.  .  .  .  You  would  know  how.  .  .  .  He  has  no  confi- 
dence in  me.  .  .  ." 

The  Countess  moved  her  head  negatively,  and  having  looked 
attentively  at  Pani  Walewska's  beautiful  face,  said  emphatically  : 
"  You  ask  me  impossible  things  ! " 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  165 

"If  you  were  willing  .  .  I  have  proofs  that  you  can  do 
much.  .  .  ." 

"  Not  in  this  case.  .   .    " 

''  Open  his  eyes.  .   .  ." 

"  You  are  mistaken^  my  dear  child  ;  your  husband  sees  per- 
fectly well,  and,  if  he  perseveres,  who  knows,  he  may  go  very 
high.  .  .  ." 

"  You  think  it  is  possible  ?  " 

"  Entirely  ;  only,  I  repeat,  if  he  perseveres.  H'm  !  It  is  not 
easy  .  .  .  but  he  has  chances,  especially  with  Napoleon.  Look 
at  those  who  surround  him  :  he  has  made  princes  and  dukes  of 
farm-boys  and  grooms  !  Why  should  he,  then,  not  give  a  httle 
to  the  old  family  of  Colonna  Walewski  }  " 

Pani  Walewska  tried  to  find  out  something  more  about  her 
husband's  chances,  but  Madame  de  Vauban  got  rid  of  her  ques- 
tioning by  a  few  evasive  words,  and  having  glanced  at  the  clock, 
she  concluded  :  "  One  could  spend  years  in  chatting  with  you. 
TAvelve  o'clock !  We  have  only  one  hour  for  dressing !  We 
must  call  our  servants  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  rose.    "  I  Avould  give  much  if  I  could  not  go." 

"And  your  promised  obedience.''" 

"  Suppose  the  Marshal  again .''  .  .  ." 

"  Ah,  what  does  it  matter  ?  Let  him  talk.  Do  not  take  his 
clumsy  compliments  seriously.  Adopt  a  half-joking  and  half- 
consenting  tone,  and  soon  his  apparent  elegance  will  be  ex- 
hausted.    And  then  I  shall  watch  over  you  and  help  you."     - 

Pani  Walewska  rang  for  the  servants,  and  ordered  Madame 
de  Vauban's  things  to  be  brought  in. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife's  dressing-room  was  now  swarming 
with  servants,  among  whom  ruled  two  tailors  from  Joubert,  and 
Gaston,  Madame  de  Vauban's  coiffeur. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  v/ith  astonishment  at  the  numerous 
servants  moving  with  feverish  haste  and  bringing  more  and 
more  boxes,  and  when,  at  last,  she  perceived  two  lackeys  cai-ry- 
ing  in  a  big  mirror,  she  could  not  refrain  from  saying :  "  Had  I 
known  I  should  cause  you  so  much  trouble  .  . 

Madame  de  Vauban  smiled  complacently. 

"  Ah,  it  is  a  trifle  !  At  least,  they  have  something  to  do  .' 
Only  I  have  taken  your  whole  dressing-room." 


166  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"1  can  dress  myself  in  the  boudoir." 

''  Very  well,  then  !  Do  you  see,  my  dear  child,  it  is 
habit.  ...  I  could  not  get  along  without  those  things.  .  .  . 
Suzanne,  how  much  time  have  we  .''  " 

"  Not  a  full  hour,  Madame  la  Comtesse." 

"Will  you  be  in  time  .'' "  asked  Madame  de  Vauban,  alarmed. 

Suzanne  moved  her  head  doubtfully. 

Madame  de  Vauban  fell  with  determination  in  an  armchair 
before  the  mirror. 

"  Marie,  hasten.    Lucie  will  help  you  !  Gaston,  dćpćchez  voiis!" 

Pani  Walewska  looked  for  a  while  at  Madame  de  Vauban 
making  her  toilet.  She  had  heard  often  of  its  secrets ;  her 
husband  was  a  proof  that  making  a  toilette  was  an  art  and 
a  very  important  problem ;  but  what  she  saw  surprised  her  to 
the  highest  degree. 

Madame  de  Vauban  was  almost  carried  in  her  servants'  arms ; 
with  astonishing  adroitness  they  changed  dressing-gowns, 
putting  on  her  a  new  one  almost  every  minute.  From  a 
downy  cloak  covering  Madame  de  Vauban  when  her  face  and 
her  hands  were  sprinkled  with  rose-water,  to  a  pale  hlwe  peignoir, 
which  was  a  sign  that  Gaston  was  to  proceed  to  his  masterpiece 
on  Madame  de  Vauban' s  head,  everything  had  not  only  its  box 
and  its  destination,  but  also  its  perfume. 

The  Countess  had  already  changed  her  peignoira  three  times, 
and  Suzanne  had  not  yet  finished  displaying  different  little 
boxes,  small  bottles  and  strange  hooks,  pincers,  knives,  brushes, 
and  cosmetics.  The  concentration  with  which  Pani  Walewska 
looked  on  at  those  mysterious  preparatives  and  doings,  attracted 
Madame  de  Vauban's  attention. 

"  Marie,  it  is  time ! "  remonstrated  the  Countess,  looking 
hesitatingly  at  the  box  of  paint  handed  to  her  by  Suzanne. 

'•  I  shall  be  in  time." 

Madame  de  Vauban  made  an  impatient  movement. 

"  Yes  .  .  .  but  then,  excuse  me,  my  dear,  I  cannot  talk  with 
you  now." 

Pani  Walewska  understood  the  delicate  allusion  and  entered 
her  boudoir.  When  she  passed  Lucie,  she  noticed  in  her  hand 
large  locks  of  hair  similar  in  colour  to  that  of  Madame  de 
Vauban. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  167 

Pani  Walewska  felt  uneasy,  almost  guilty  towards  Madame  de 
Vauban  at  the  discovery  of  such  a  secret. 

In  the  boudoir.  Pani  Walewska's  chambermaid  was  waiting 
for  her  with  a  box  containing  jcAvels  of  the  family  of  Walewski. 

"His  lordship  sends  this,  and  begs  her  ladyship  to  choose 
according  to  her  taste." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  indifferently  on  the  glittering  contents 
of  the  box,  and  having  ordered  it  to  be  returned  to  her  husband 
with  thanks,  began  to  dress. 

The  maid,  however,  returned  again  with  the  box. 

"His  lordship  begs  that  her  ladyship  will  take  at  least  the 
diamond  necklace." 

Pani  Walewska  refused ;  the  maid  left  with  the  answer. 
Pani  Walewska  had  hardly  time  to  put  on  a  gown,  when  to  her 
great  alarm  she  heard  at  the  door  her  husband  coughing, 
followed  by  a  gentle  knocking. 

"  Marie,  one  word  only.     Impossible  without  the  necklace  ! " 

"  Thank  you,  I  do  not  need  it !  " 

"  How  will  you  look  .^  You  must  dress  like  the  others  !  All 
the  ladies  will  have  their  jewels — undoubtedly !  Pray,  do  not 
be  obstinate  !     Ask  Madame  de  Vauban." 

"Very  well,  I  will  ask  her." 

"  We  shall  wait  with  the  Princess  in  the  drawing-room  down- 
stairs." 

Pani  Walewska  breathed.  Those  family  diamonds  aroused  in 
her  some  invincible  aversion.  She  had  worn  them  only  a  few 
times,  and  every  time  it  seemed  to  her  that  the  inimical  looks 
of  her  husband's  first  two  wives  followed  her,  that  those 
diamonds  had  some  sepulchral,  cold,  and  cadaverous  smell. 

Pani  Walewska  had  determined  to  oppose  her  husband's  wish, 
and  wishing  to  gain  at  once  an  ally  in  the  Countess,  she  was 
going  to  the  door  of  her  dressing-room,  when,  at  the  same 
moment,  the  door  opened  and  Madame  de  Vauban  appeared 
in  it. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  looked  at  her  and  was  astonished,  so 
beautiful  did  the  Countess  seem. 

The  enthusiasm  was  so  visibly  depicted  in  Pani  Walewska's 
face,  that  Madame  de  Vauban  smiled,  guessing  her  impression. 

"  How  do  you  like  me  now  ? " 


168  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  You  are  beautiful !     What  refinement,  what  a  dress  ! " 

"  And  imagine  to  yourself,  in  less  than  a  whole  hour  !  Suzanne 
has  accomplished  an  impossibility.     What  a  talent !  .  .  ." 

The  Countess  advanced^  Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  with 
increasing  attention,  and  she  could  not  explain  to  herself  some- 
thing which  made  her  admire  Madame  de  Vauban  at  the  first 
glance,  but  which  now  made  her  look  like  an  old  portrait  of 
a  withered  lady  that  hung  in  her  husband's  room,  and  hardly 
had  she  become  accustomed  to  that  impression  when  that  double 
of  the  portrait  changed  into  a  mask,  set  over  a  dressed  lay 
figure. 

Madame  de  Vauban  did  not  notice  that  change  of  impression 
in  Pani  Walewska,  and  began,  in  her  turn,  to  look  at  her 
attentively. 

"  H'rn  !  Pray,  turn  to  the  light.  Black  velvet !  Too  serious  ! 
It  needs  something  .  .  .  round  the  neck.  .  .  .  Perhaps  you 
have  amethysts  ?  They  would  be  becoming  to  you.  I  am  sure 
you  have  amethysts.   ..." 

^'No,  not  for  anything  in  the  world.  You  must  not  ask 
me.  .  .  ." 

"  But  I  cannot !  The  neck  is  bare  ;  it  is  lost !  Do  you  under- 
stand, my  dear  child,  it  is  lost,  and  it  must  not  be." 

Pani  WalcAvska  took  a  thin  gold  chain. 

"  I  will  take  this  chain.  .   .  ." 

"You  are  stubborn.  Well  ...  I  have  an  idea  .  .  ,  per- 
haps it  will  make  an  impression.  .  .  .  Suzanne !  Powder ! 
You  will  look  more  interesting  .  .  .  black  dress  ,  ,  .  paleness 
.  .  .  only  the  eyes  ...  I  will  put  Venetian  drops  ,  .  .  they 
v.ill  make  your  eyes  fiery." 

Pani  Walewska  shivered  with  avei'sion  at  the  sight  of  the 
powder. 

«  No,  thank  you  !  " 

"  My  dear  child,  you  v/ill  make  an  impression." 

"\  do  not  wish  to  please  anybody." 

"  Very  well,  but  you  ought  to  have  an  expression  of  sadness 
vi  ith  melancholy ;  the  Venetian  drops  will  undoubtedly  produce 
the  effect.   .   .  ." 

"  If  you  have  the  slightest  sympathy  for  me,  permit  me  to 
remain  as  I  am." 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  169 

Madame  de  Vauban  tried  still  to  persuade  Pani  Walevt'ska ; 
but  having  met  with  decided  opposition,  she  gave  in,  and  even 
promised  to  defend  her  in  case  her  husband  should  insist  on 
her  wearing  the  diamonds. 

In  the  meanwhile,  in  the  drawing-room  downstairs,  the 
Chamberlain  and  the  Princess  waited,  sending  servants  every 
little  while  and  urging  the  ladies  to  hasten.  The  Chamber- 
lain's impatience  increased  with  every  moment  of  waiting. 

"We  shall  be  too  late!"  he  said  anxiously  to  his  sister. 
"And  it  is  the  fault  of  that  .  .  .  that  .  .   ." 

"  But  Vauban  has  the  best  intentions.   ..." 

"  I  have  seen  that  since  yesterday !  She  spoils  her !  I  am 
patient,  but  only  for  a  time.  She  acts  as  if  she  were  in  her  own 
house,  and  should  it  last  longer  ..." 

The  Princess  answered  with  indifference — 

"Just  as  you  please." 

The  Chamberlain  looked  hesitatingly  at  his  sister, 

"  You  yourself  have  persuaded  me  ,  .  ." 

"  Not  of  this,  that  Vauban  will  be  able  to  win  the  confidence 
of  that  treasure  of  yours,  or  to  prepare  her  for  such  an  impor- 
tant role.   .  .  ." 

"  I  do  not  ask  for  that.  I  see,  however,  that  her  teaching 
begins  by  trifling  with  me,  by  opposition.  .   .   ." 

"Vauban  has  her  plans!  If  she  wishes  to  realise  them,  she 
must  make  some  concessions." 

"  Well,  I  had  make  a  mistake !  You  have  assailed  me  v/ith 
your  persuasions ;  I  have  given  in,  and  nov/  I  regret !  I  did  not 
need  that  help." 

"^You  can  get  rid  of  it  very  easily." 

"You  say  so,  but  you  hold  on  to  your  ideas.  As  it  is,  it  is  not 
we  who  need  her,  but  she  who  needs  us." 

"  Yes,  if  your  wife  had  moi'e  experience,  who  knows    . 
It  is  your  fault ;  you  kept  her  closeted ;  you  would  not  show 
her.   .  .   ." 

"  It  was  your  advice.   .  .  ." 

"  I  did  not  suppose  that  you  would  go  as  far  as  that.'' 

"  So !  .  .  .  Then,  perhaps,  I  should  have  taken  her  to  the 
Poniatowskis  ? " 

"  I  would  not  say  that !     If  you  intended  to  withdraw  for 


170  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

ever  from  public  life,  then  your  wife's  seclusion  would  have 
had  some  common  sense.  To-day,  you  see,  she  may  have 
influence ! " 

"  I  do  not  wish  for  too  much  !  " 

"  Ah,  one  must  not  go  far  in  surmising.  Favour  of  thć 
Emperor,  who  is  exceedingly  severe  on  love  intrigues !  Why 
not  take  advantage,  when  I  assure  you  Talleyrand  himself, 
when  I  wanted  to  find  out  what  you  could  expect,  told  me 
precisely :  '  I  cannot  tell  you  everything,  for  Madame 
Walewska's  own  word  can  change  even  the  Emperor's  de- 
cision'.'' Those  are  M.  de  Perigord's  words.  Fancy!  Innocent 
feebleness !  Marie  is  simply  lucky !  Therefore  if  she  knew, 
she  could  do  much !  Anetka,  although  she  is  not  friendly, 
assured  me  that  Marie  is  at  the  head  of  the  ladies  invited  to 
the  Court ! " 

The  Chamberlain  lifted  himself  on  his  tiptoes  and  puffed 
out  his  cheeks — his  face  brightened  up.  He,  however,  con- 
cealed the  imjDression  made  on  him  by  such  an  honour,  and 
was  already  going  to  answer  indifferently  that  he  did  not 
see  anything  extraordinary  for  the  family  of  Walewski  when 
Madame  de  Vauban  and  Pani  Walewska  entered  the  drawing- 
room. 

"At  last !  "  cried  the  Princess  joyfully. 

"  My  fault !  Joubert  was  too  late  !  We  may  be  going  ! 
Marie  will  come  with  me." 

"But  who  will  conduct  her  to  the  drawing-room  ? "  asked  the 
Chamberlain. 

"  Prince  Borghese  receives,  and  then  you  can  follow  us 
closely.     We  have  so  much  to  tell  each  other." 

"Yes,  yes!"  interceded  the  Princess.  "We  must  not  lose 
time.  Marie,  let  me  kiss  you !  Dear  child !  I  am  yours  with 
all  my  heart !     Countess  I  admire  your  taste." 

Madame  de  ^'^auban  being  persuaded  about  her  exquisite 
taste,  stretched  herself  and  turned  round,  giving  a  chance  to 
the  Princess  to  admire  Joubert's  masterpiece. 

"Charming!"  said  the  Princess,  and  having  bent  a  little 
forward  to  Madame  de  Vauban  whispered  to  her : 

"  What  a  horrid  mourning  frock  she  has  put  on." 

"One  must  be  heroic  to  put  up  with  it  all,"  answered  the 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  171 

Countess,  also  in  a  whisper ;  and  looking  towards  Pani  Walewska, 
she  said  aloud — 

"  Do  you  not  find  that  our  dear  Marie  looks  very  interesting  ?  " 

"  Beautiful !     What  refinement  in  that  simplicity  !  " 

"And  how  becoming  is  the  black  velvet  to  her  pale  face. 
Chamberlain,  you  ought  to  congratulate  ..." 

The  Chamberlain  came  to  his  wife  with  far-fetched  gallantry, 
kissed  her  hand  and  said  in  a  whisper :  "  You  know  my  opinion 
about  Dombrowski's  partisans ;  therefore,  should  you  have 
an  opportunity,  say  something.  One  must  make  an  end 
of  them.  Say  that  the  temporary  Government  is  very 
much  disliked,  that  the  members  of  it  do  not  deserve  such 
honour.  .  .  ." 

"  I — I  have  to  speak,  with  whom  .''  " 

"  Only  with  the  Emperor  himself.  .  .  .  Not  a  word  to  any- 
body else.  .  .  .  One  does  not  know  where  there  may  be 
treachery.  .  .  .  Do  not  trust  even  that.  .  .  .  You  must  be 
careful.  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  cleared  his  throat,  satisfied  with  himself 
that  he  had  succeeded  in  reminding  his  wife  about  his  political 
opinions,  and  in  the  meanAvhile  in  pointing  out  to  her  the 
principal  aim  to  which  she  should  direct  her  efforts. 

Pani  Walewska  could  hardly  understand  her  husband's  sudden 
exhortations ;  but  there  was  no  time  for  elucidation,  for  the 
Princess  and  Madame  de  Vauban  urged  them  to  hasten. 

The  servants  put  fur  cloaks  on  the  ladies. 

Baptiste  wrapped  up  the  Chamberlain  in  shawls  and  furs. 

"Then,  we  are  going  first,  Marie.  Follow  us!"  concluded 
Madame  de  Vauban,  and  went  out,  followed  closely  by  Pani 
Walewska,  her  husband  and  the  Princess. 

Madame  de  Vauban's  carriage  rolled  on  swiftly. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  had  hai-dly  any  time  to  exchange  a 
few  words  when  she  found  herself  in  the  presence  of  smiling, 
elegant,  and  pretentiously  solemn  Prince  Borghese. 

Pani  Walewska  was  so  taken  aback  by  the  impetuous  and 
clumsy  compliments  of  the  Prince,  that  she  could  not  find  an 
answer  to  them.  Madame  de  Vauban,  however,  came  to  her 
help,  and  not  only  found  an  excuse  for  their  coming  late,  but 
also  learned  that  the  Emperor  was  expected  only  in  about  an 


172  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

hour's  time,  because  of  the  arrival  of  the  courier  from  Sebas- 
tianie the  Empei-or's  ambassador  at  Constantinople. 

That  news  permitted  Pani  Walewska  to  recover  her  self- 
possession,  for  the  mere  idea  that  at  any  moment  she  might 
meet  the  Emperor's  piercing  look  had  taken  her  courage 
away. 

In  the  meanvv'hile,  in  the  drawing-room  another  surprise  was 
in  store  for  her,  which  irritated  her  very  much. 

Hardly  had  she  appeared,  leaning  on  Prince  Borghese's 
arm,  when  all  his  guests  rushed  to  meet  her,  and,  rustling  with 
silks,  clanking  with  spurs,  and  bowing,  surrounded  Pani 
Walewska,  and  there  was  no  end  of  greeting,  bows,  hand- 
shaking, compliments,  v>ords  full  of  enthusiasm  and  submission. 

Grey  heads,  haughty  toiipets  and  smooth  v/igs,  all  bowed  to 
Pani  Walev/ska. 

Martial  faces  tried  to  be  serene ;  grimaces  which  expressed 
friendship  and  cordiality  twisted  even  such  cold  and  unexpres- 
sive  faces  as  that  of  Marshal  Davoust,  or  such  proudly  quiet 
ones  as  that  of  Małachowski. 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  even  try  to  answer  all  those  homages. 

She  became  purple,  the  breath  stopped  in  her  spasmodically 
heaving  breast,  fear  whirled  in  her  head,  awful,  merciless, 
irresistible  conjectures  overcame  her,  exclamations,  greetings, 
and  particularly  emphasised  words  poured  towards  her. 

"  Toiijonrs  exqtdse  !"  whispered  Countess  Potocka,  half  closing 
her  eyes. 

"  You  appear  to  us  like  the  morning  star  before  the  sun ! " 
muttered  Count  Lubieński. 

"  Dear  Mary,  you  do  not  imagine  what  joy  it  is  for  me  ! " 
exclaimed  Countess  Moszyńska. 

"  To  look  at  you  means  to  be  hajijjy  !  "  said  Murat  pom])ously, 
shaking  the  plumes  of  his  swaggering  hat. 

"  Do  you  rememl)er  me .''  I  am  Breza,"  spoke  a  tall  man, 
bending  his  thick  neck  with  difficulty. 

"  Do  you  not  recognise  Gutakowska  ?  I  remember  you  since 
you  were  a  child." 

"  I  have  greeting  for  you  from  Jeannette." 

"  I  am  very  glad." 

"  Your  humble  servant ! " 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  173 

"  We  have  intended  foi*  a  week  past  to  call  on  you." 

"  Let  me  kiss  you ;  improper^  but  I  cannot  forbid  my  heart." 

Madame  de  Vauban^  watching  over  Pani  Walewska^  deemed  it 
necessary  to  free  her  from  those  homages^  and  whispered  a  few 
words  to  Prince  Boi'ghese,  who  nodded  affirmatively,  and  con- 
ducted the  Chamberlain's  wife  to  a  place  where  a  few  armchairs 
stood  under  a  column. 

Pani  Walewska  sat  in  one  of  them.  Madame  de  Vauban 
occupied  another,  and  the  crov.-d  of  guests  moved  and  scattered 
for  a  moment,  and  then  surrounded  her  again. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  could  not  refrain  from  a  remai-k,  and 
whispered  to  Madame  de  Vauban. 

"  I  do  not  understand  the  reason  of  all  this  ?  " 

"You  do  not?"  repeated  the  Countess,  with  such  a  voice 
that  Pani  Walewska  shivered,  for  it  seemed  to  her  that  she 
heard  the  same  voice  now  in  herself,  and  that  Madame  de 
Vauban's  cold  and  sneering  voice  was  the  echo  of  that  other 
voice. 

"No!"  whispered  Pani  Walewska  mechanically. 

The  Countess  covered  herself  with  her  fan  in  order  to  conceal 
her  smile. 

"  My  dear  friend,  you  are  surprised  !  Well,  these  people  are 
playing  at  a  court,  and  they  try  to  follow  the  thoughts  and  looks 
of  their  master.  ...  If  you  prefer,  they  perhaps  expect  power 
in  your  influence  !  " 

"  Then  these  people  .  .  ." 

"Are  very  clumsy,  are  they  not?  For,  speaking  between 
ourselves,  it  is  impossible  to  revive  the  splendour  of  the  Louis 
with  sansculottes.  Ah,  those  Frenchmen  who  are  here  ...  It 
is  simply  painful.  But,  pay  attention.  Prince  Borghese  is 
conducting  the  Austrian  ambassador  to  us !  You  can  see  in 
him  a  man  who  frequents  a  true  court.  .  .  ." 

"  General  Vincent !  "  introduced  Prince  Borghese. 

The  General  bent  in  a  respectful  bow. 

"  Madame,  I  consider  it  an  honour.   ..." 

"  We  are  glad ! "  graciously  answered  Madame  de  Vauban, 
showing  to  the  ambassador  the  armchair  beside  Pani  Walewska. 
"  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  you  arrived  only  yesterday.  Directly 
from  Vienna  ?     Our  small  world  must  seem  strange  to  you  ? " 


174  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Is  it  small  ? "  quietly  answered  the  ambassador,  weighing 
every  word  as  was  his  custom.  "As  it  seems,  the  bigger  is 
here." 

"  For  those  who  wish  to  have  it  so." 

"Or  who  must!"  added  the  ambassador  with  a  double 
meaning,  and,  as  if  wishing  to  lessen  too  strong  an  expression, 
he  said  sententiously :  "  We  are  living  in  feverish  times,  in 
which  history  chooses  small  places,  and  proves  unexpectedly 
that  there,  where  she  walks  ..." 

The  Countess  laughed. 

"  You  are  thinking  of  Ajaccio  !  I  have  only  learnt  that  it  is 
possible  be  born  there.     How  is  Count  Stadion.?" 

The  Austrian  General  looked  inquisitively  at  Madame  de 
Vauban,  for  he  did  not  understand  what  the  name  of  the  Prime 
Minister  meant  in  her  mouth,  and  said  abruptly:  "Thank  you, 
the  Count,  as  usual,  is  very  busy." 

"Should  you  have  an  opportunity,  pray  assure  him  that  I 
count  the  time  spent  in  his  house  among  the  most  pleasant 
moments  of  my  life.  And  how  is  the  Countess  ?  I  heard  she 
was  very  ill." 

"  She  is  better." 

"The  Prince  de  Ligny  told  me  so  in  his  last  letter,  but  he 
was  afraid  of  a  relapse." 

"  I  am  very  grateful.  Count  Stadion  will  be  pleased  at  your 
solicitude." 

"  It  is  not  solicitude,  it  is  something  that  remains  in  my 
soul.  ..." 

The  General  nodded,  and,  caressing  the  green  plumes  of  his 
hat,  looked  discreetly  towards  Pani  Walewska,  who  so  far  had 
not  taken  any  part  in  the  conversation ;  and  when  Madame  de 
Vauban  ended  another  still  more  pompous  sentence  concerning 
her  memories  of  Vienna,  the  General  turned  suddenly  to  the 
Chamberlain's  wife. 

"  It  seems  the  Emperor  will  be  late  ?  " 

"  A  courier  from  Constantinople  from  General  Sebastian! 
kept  his  Majesty,"  answered  Pani  Walewska  quietly,  glad  that 
she  could  answer  without  any  effort. 

Vincent  made  a  movement. 

"  Are  you  certain  .'' " 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  175 

"  Prince  Borghese  told  me  so.     Am  I  mistaken  ?  " 

Madame  de  Vauban  made  a  grimace.  The  ambassador  looked 
round  uneasily. 

"  I  see,  General,  that  you  take  advantage  of  an  introduction^" 
resounded  Prince  Borghese's  voice  from  one  side. 

Vincent  rose  slowly. 

"  I  could  not  find  Avords  to  express  my  gratitude  ! " 

"  Then  you  surrender !  You  understand  that  even  diplomacy 
must  be  defeated  here." 

"  Entirely.  To  the  splendour  of  the  gathering,  nothing  but 
Majesty  is  lacking.' 

"Soon!"  said  the  Prince. 

"General  Sebastiani  has  chosen  a  bad  moment/'  said  the 
General,  negligently  adjusting  the  riband  on  his  white  uniform. 

Prince  Borghese  smiled,  trying  to  understand  what  Vincent 
knew  about  Sebastiani. 

"A  .  .  .  Sebastiani.^" 

"  Well,  yes,  for  he  sent  a  courier  on  the  day  and  hour  of  your 
reception. 

Prince  Borghese  wanted  to  laugh,  when  the  severe  voice  of 
the  Secretary  of  State,  Maret,  sounded  beside  them. 

"General,  you  are  mistaken." 

Prince  Borghese  grew  confused,  looking  with  uneasiness  at 
Maret. 

"  I  do  not  think  so,"  answered  Vincent  coolly,  "  for  a  short 
time  since  a  courier  from  Constantinople  arrived.  Prince,  am  I 
not  right.'' " 

"Courier.^  I  do  not  know  anything — I  have  not  heard," 
stammered  the  Prince,  feeling  upon  him  the  inquisitive  look  of 
one  of  the  most  faithful  satellites  of  Napoleon. 

"Such  being  the  case,  I  must  justify  myself  and  say  that  I  am 
repeating  what  you.  Prince,  told  Madame  Walewska." 

The  Emperor's  brother-in-law  reddened,  and  looked  angrily  at 
the  ambassador. 

"The  Prince  thought  that  such  an  explanation  was  plausible," 
said  Maret  coolly.  "  A  courier  goes  directly  to  the  Emperor's 
study ;  nobody  knows  or  can  know  anything  about  him ;  just  as 
nobody  has  anything  to  do  with  the  instructions  received  by  you 
to-day  from  Count  Stadion — the  said  instructions  being  the 


176  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

result  of  the  endeavour  of  the  well-known  adventurer  Pozzo  di 
Borgo." 

The  ambassador  tried  to  conceal  the  perpendicular  wrinkle 
that  appeared  against  his  will  on  his  forehead.  Prince  Borg- 
hese  dropped  his  head  like  a  boy  caught  in  some  mischief 

ISIaretj  however,  did  not  take  advantage  of  the  ascendency  he 
had  gained,  but  turned  the  conversation  on  the  brilliancy  of  the 
impending  review  of  the  troops,  and  having  attracted  to  the 
group  Count  Stanislaus  Potocki,  who  was  just  passing  by,  he 
withdrew  towards  Pani  Walewska. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  was  just  listening  to  Anetka  Tysz- 
kiewicz's  friendly  effusions,  v.ho,  with  her  usual  fluency,  spoke 
at  once  about  the  bother  caused  by  Murat,  who  had  his  quarters 
in  her  palace,  and  about  the  expected  arrival  of  the  Turkish 
ambassador,  and  about  Pani  Gutakowska's  old-fashioned  frock, 
and  about  Herceau's  violence,  and  about  her  love  for  art,  and 
about  the  late  king's  cook.  Tremo,  who  refused  to  superintend 
the  dinner  for  Prince  Borghese. 

Maret  bowed  to  Pani  Walewska,  greeted  Madame  de  Vauban 
and  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz  with  a  few  kind  words,  and  stood 
behind  the  Chamberlain's  wife's  armchair. 

At  the  sight  of  Prince  Bassano,  Anetka  whispered  to  Pani 
Walewska — - 

"  My  most  hearty  congratulations ;  there  is  no  doubt  what- 
ever !     Maret  is  behind  you.   ..." 

"May  I  ask  about  what  you  are  talking — although  if  it  is  a 
secret  .  .  .  ?"  asked  Prince  Bassano. 

Anetka  smiled  cunningly. 

"  No,  it  is  not  a  secret,  and  even  if  we  had  a  secret  you  would 
know  it  by  the  right  of  your  office.  Ah,  I  pity  you !  To  pos- 
sess so  many  secrets,  so  much  State  news,  and  not  to  be  able  to 
tell  them,  it  must  be  dreadful !" 

"Not  at  all ;  capacity  of  silence  suffices." 

Anetka  laughed. 

"  Is  it  enough  ?  No,  no ;  if  I  were  a  man  I  would  never 
accept  the  portfolio  of  the  Secretary  of  State.  Every  time  I 
look  at  you,  I  pity  you.  How  much  mysterious  news  you  could 
tell ! " 

"  You  are  mistaken.      The  secrets  I  possess  are  usually  such 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  177 

that  everybody  who  knows  how  to  look,  how  to  Hsten  and  be 
silentj  may  knoAv  them." 

"  Your  modesty  does  not  lessen  your  merits  !  For  us  you  are 
the  source  of  news." 

'^'^And  the  shadow  of  his  Majesty!"  added  Madame  de 
Vauban.  "Your  appearance  either  precedes  or  follows  the 
Emperor." 

"Very  well  said^"  rejoined  Anetka.  "Even  to-day,  your 
presence  here  testifies  undoubtedly  that  that  horrid  courier 
from  Constantinople  has  been  sent  away  !     Is  it  not  so  .^  " 

"You  are  interested  in  politics  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  deny  it !  Would  you  refuse  the  diplomatic 
functions  to  us  women?" 

"Not  at  all ;  only  not  in  Paris,  and  not  with  our  Emperor  !  " 
answered  Maret  emphatically,  and  looked  significantly  at  Pani 
Walewska. 

Anetka  made  a  grimace. 

"Who  knows,  who  knows  !     Your  opinion  does  not  decide." 

"But  at  present  it  will  not  fail." 

"Naturally,"  said  Anetka  precipitately.  "Political  abilities 
do  not  go  together  with  appearances,  which  are  lucky  if  they 
attract  attention  or  are  successful  for  a  moment !  Marie,  is  it 
not  true  ? " 

Pani  Walewska  blushed,  not  knowing  why, 

"Your  opinion  is  worthy  to  be  remembered,"  said  Madame 
de  Vauban  suddenly. 

Anetka  looked  at  her  provokingly. 

"  Do  you  think  differently  ?  " 

"  It  is  difficult  to  answer  in  a  few  words.  There  are  plenty 
of  intrigues  at  every  Court,  but  often  those  are  \dctorious  which 
were  meant  for  quite  different  purposes." 

Anetka  turned  again  to  Pani  Walewska. 

"  And  you,  Marie  ?  " 

"My  dear,  she  has  not  your  experience,"  said  Madame  de 
Vauban  coolly. 

"  So  much  the  worse  for  her  if  she  has  not !  "  answered  Anetka 

sharply ;  and  having  noticed  M.  de  Flahaut  beside  her,  she  said 

with  intentional  exaggeration :  "  You  wished  to  be  introduced 

to  Countess  de  Vauban !     Chevalier  de  Flahaut !     I  tell  you  he 

N 


178  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

simply  did  not  leave  me  a  minute  of  rest.  Imagine^  M.  de 
Flahaut's  mother  writes  to  him  from  Paris  about  you — you  were 
her  vis-a-vis  in  a  minuet  at  a  ball.  ..." 

Madame  de  Vauban  bit  her  lips.  Flahaut  could  hardly  refrain 
from  laughing. 

As  for  Anetkaj  not  losing  her  assurance  for  a  momenta  she 
related  some  details  of  that  ball  thirty  years  ago. 

In  the  meanwhile^  Prince  Bassano^  taking  advantage  of  the 
momenta  bent  towards  Pani  Walewska  and  asked  her  suddenly : 
"  Do  you  believe  in  sympathy  conceived  for  people  of  whom  we 
know  either  but  very  little  or  nothing?" 

"  I  have  had  no  opportunity  ..." 

"Wellj  I  beg  to  assure  you  that  at  the  first  glance  I  con- 
ceived for  you  a  great  respect.  ...  If  you  would  accept  a 
friendship  .   .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  played  nervously  with  her  fan,  not  knowing 
what  she  could  do  with  the  minister's  sudden  declaration. 

Prince  Bassano  stopped  for  a  while  as  if  wishing  to  underline 
his  intimation,  and  finished  in  a  still  lower  voice — 

"And  that  friendship  urges  me  to  make  a  remark — a  very 
friendly  one  :  do  not  mingle  in  politics,  do  not  permit  yourself 
to  be  used  as  a  tool.  .  .  ." 

"  But,  Prince,  you  must  excuse.  ...  I  have  not  the  slightest 
inclination,  and  I  understand  so  little,  that  truly  .  .   ." 

"  I  believe  you  !  "  interrupted  Maret  precipitately.  "  But 
to-day — here — in  conversation  with  General  Vincent,  you  told 
him  about  the  arrival  of  a  courier  from  Constantinople.  .  .  ." 

"But  Prince  Borghese  .  .    " 

"  I  understand  he  committed  an  indiscretion,  but  you  should 
not  have  repeated  that  news  to  the  Austrian  ambassador." 

"I  must  be  excused.  I  did  not  think  that  Prince  Borghese 
would  say  anj'thing  that  might  not  be  repeated.    I  am  so  sorry." 

"Pray  do  not  take  my  words  so  earnestly.  ...  I  do  not 
doubt  your  good  intentions.  My  friendly  remark  is  not  to  be 
despised.     The  Emperor  hates  Avomen  mingling  in  politics." 

"The  Emperor!"  asked  Pani  Walewska  with  astonishment, 
looking  at  the  minister  with  her  big,  sapjihire-like  blue  ej^es. 

"  L' Empereur  !  "  announced  the  voice  of  M.  de  St'gur,  Master 
of  the  Ceremonies,  at  the  entrance  of  the  drawing-room. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  179 

Maret^  bowing,  withdrew  from  Pani  Walewska's  chair  and 
went  to  Davoust. 

There  was  a  general  movement  in  the  room,  followed  by  deep 
silence,  in  which  one  could  hear  Napoleon's  nervous  steps ;  he 
was  followed  by  Duroc,  Berthier,  and  Talleyrand. 

Having  made  a  few  steps,  the  Empei'or,  by  a  slight  movement 
of  his  head,  answered  the  bows  greeting  him  from  all  sides,  and 
having  exchanged  a  few  words  with  his  brother-in-law,  passed 
between  the  gathered  people,  distributing  kind  v/ords  from  time 
to  time. 

Pani  Walewska,  surprised  at  the  warning  given  to  her  by 
Prince  Bassano,  as  well  as  by  the  Emperor's  sudden  entrance, 
drew  nearer  to  Madame  de  Vauban,  who  guessed  her  thoughts, 
for  she  answered  her  movement  by  pressing  her  hand. 

"  Courage,  my  dear  child  !  I  am  near  you  !  Anetka  is  bilious. 
So  much  the  worse  for  her !  I  have  heard  what  Bassano  told 
you.  He  is  a  horrid  man !  Let  Borghese  suffer.  Only  you 
must  not  take  it  to  heart.  Courage  will  do  everything.  Duroc 
is  coming  to  us  !  You  must  not  show  that  you  remember  the 
last  conversation  with  him  !     Do  not  take  it  seriously.   ..." 

Pani  Walewska  had  hardly  time  to  tell  herself  that  she  oughl 
not  now  to  lose  her  presence  of  mind,  and  ought  to  turn  the 
Grand  Marshal's  words  into  a  joke,  when  Duroc  already  stood 
before  her,  beaming  in  his  crimson  uniform  and  gold  em- 
broideries. 

''  Humility  opens  the  gates  of  heaven  !  You  must  attribute 
to  it  my  daring  in  presenting  you  my  homages." 

"The  honour  is  on  my  side  !  " 

"I  am  so  happy  to  see  you  here." 

"  Therefore  I  admire  your  being  satisfied  with  so  little." 

"To  answer  your  modesty  by  a  compliment  would  seem  to 
offend  you.  Where  the  starlight  falls,  there  human  words  are  but 
earthly  noise.     Countess,  permit  me  to  greet  you." 

"  Monsieur  le  Marechal !  "  said  Madame  de  Vauban  through  her 
teeth,  in  answer  to  Duroc's  bow.  "  I  permitted  myself  to  listen 
to  you,  and  I  wonder  at  your  eloquence.  You  unite  the  polish 
of  the  courtiers  of  Versailles  to  the  sentiment  of  the  trou- 
badours." 

"  You  are  very  kind ! " 


180  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

''And  you  embarrassed  Madame  Walewska.  For  it  is  difficult 
to  speak  as  fast  as  you  do.  Moreover,  our  language  possesses  so 
many  inflections,  so  much  subtlety  and  softness,  that  my  friend 
is  afraid  to  compete  with  you." 

"Very  unjustly  indeed,  if  one  compares  my  array  of  words 
with  that  of  the  eyes  of  Madame  Walewska ;  further,  that 
cleverness  of  words,  which  you  are  kind  enough  to  atti-ibute  to 
me,  is  so  feeble,  so  slight,  that  only  fear  can  be  my  privilege." 

"  You  do  not  look  intimidated  at  all  !  "  rejoined  Pani 
Walewska  boldly,  Duroc's  serene  face  having  inspired  her  with 
confidence. 

"  But  it  cannot  be  otherwise  !  " 

"How  so  .''  "  inquired  Madame  de  Vauban. 

"Yes,  Madame,  for  to  lose  in  a  fight  with  a  Avoman  means 
sometimes  more  than  to  win.  It  is  to  die  amid  flowers — delight- 
ful. Epicurean  death  !  And  would  you  believe  that  I  am 
threatened  with  that  sort  of  death  ? " 

"  Impossible  to  believe  it !  " 

"  And  it  is  here  !  In  a  country  in  which  every  bough,  every 
leaf,  requires  so  much  care,  in  order  to  make  it  appear  in  this 
cold  world — to  die  like  Nero's  guests,  like  a  Roman  intoxicated 
with  Falernian  wine  ;  to  die  crushed  by  flowers,  and  to  have  a 
ceiling  overhead  instead  of  the  Italian  sky ;  instead  of  the 
golden  sun  of  Rome — mist,  and  wood  burning  in  a  fireplace  is 
worthy  of  commiseration  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  Duroc  with  curiosity,  and  said — 

"Pray  explain  that  entangled  allusion,  which  undoubtedly 
hides  some  witticism." 

"  There  is  no  allusion,  Madame  !  I  have  not  said  too  much  ! 
My  rooms  are  filled  up  with  flowers.  There  are  more  of  them 
every  hour  .  .  .  from  modest  violets  to  stately  camellias,  from 
delicate  lilies  of  the  valley  to  intruding  narcissus.   .   .   ." 

"And  every  species,  every  colour,  every  perfume,  signifies 
another  victim  !     Is  it  not  so  ?  " 

Duroc  made  a  grimace  Avith  comical  seriousness. 

"  Countess,  you  are  too  far  from  the  truth  ! " 

"  Then  those  flowers  ? " 

"The  brave  soldiers  of  the  Guard  bring  them  to  me,  raking  all 
the  greenhouses  within  a  radius  of  twenty  miles.     And  I  wish 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE  STORY  181 

to  get  rid  of  those  dizzying  neighbours  by  sending  them  where 
they  are  destined,  to  the  feet  before  which  they  should  be 
strewn;  but  there  the  flowers  are  despised,  and  are  not  accepted." 

"You  have  the  explanation  in  your  own  words!"  said  Pani 
Walewska  jokingly. 

"  One  is  afraid  to  be  dazed.   .  .   ." 

Madame  de  V^auban  touched  Pani  Walewska  with  her  fan. 
Attentive  to  everything,  Duroc,  instead  of  answering,  retreated. 

The  crowd  of  Prince  Borghese's  guests  stepped  aside,  and 
against  the  background  of  velvet,  silk  dresses,  and  rich  military 
uniforms,  Pani  Walewska  beheld  Napoleon  following  M.  de  Segur. 

"You  will  be  presented,"  whispered  Madame  de  Vauban. 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale,  preparing  herself  to  execute  the 
prescribed  curtsey. 

A  moment  of  waiting,  which  seemed  to  Pani  Walewska  a 
century,  followed.  She  heard  the  voice  of  the  Master  of  the 
Ceremonies,  she  heard  a  conversation,  words  pronounced  by  the 
Emperor  to  one  of  the  ladies  standing  by  ;  she  saw  Talleyi-and's 
lorgnon  directed  at  her  from  behind  Napoleon's  shoulder,  and 
she  felt  how  every  moment  attracted  more  looks  toward  her ; 
how  those  looks  magnetised  her.  Amidst  the  whispers  she 
distinguished  Napoleon's  footsteps,  and  in  the  meanwhile  it 
seemed  to  her  that  she  was  surrounded  by  a  mist,  that  she  was 
standing  in  an  empty  space  over  a  precipice  ;  and  from  that 
precipice,  covered  with  clouds,  a  face  cast  in  steel,  with  a  mouth 
of  bronze,  with  eyes  burning  like  fire,  was  looking  at  her. 

That  face  emerged  from  the  clouds  and  approached  Pani 
Walewska — it  advanced  during  hours,  years,  centuries,  and  on 
its  forehead  there  was  written  with  flame-like  letters  :  "  Yield, 
or  I  crush  you." 

Suddenly  M.  de  Segur's  purple  uniform  rubbed  the  Chamber- 
lain's wife  lightly,  and  in  the  meanwhile  his  sonorous  voice 
vibrated  :  "  Madame  Marie  Colonna — Walewska  !  " 

She  stood  as  if  riveted  to  the  ground,  seeing  before  her  the 
abyss  and  the  face  covered  with  clouds. 

Someone  touched  Pani  Walewska' s  shoulder ;  she  bent  her 
head,  and  entangled  in  the  train  of  her  dress,  she  retreated. 

"  Ah,  your  husband  was  a  chamberlain  of  the  Court !  I  am 
glad  to  see  you  !  " 


182  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska  lifted  her  head  and  beheld  the  Emperor 
before  her^  looking  at  her  serenely  and  smiling  ceremoniously. 

That  smile  brought  her  to  her  senses — restored  her  strength 
and  dissipated  the  vision. 

"Sire!"  answered  Pani  Walewska  with  her  sonorous  voice, 
according  to  the  most  noble  modulation  of  court  etiquette, 
which  prescribed  that  to  that  one  word  should  be  put  the  fullest 
enthusiasm  for  the  imperial  words. 

Then  she  curtseyed  to  Napoleon  in  the  most  elegant  way. 

The  Emperor  turned  away  slowly,  not  paying  any  attention 
to  the  significant  movement  of  M.  de  Segur,  who,  according  to 
the  programme,  wms  to  present  Madame  de  Vauban ;  he  came 
to  the  Austrian  ambassador,  and  said  aloud :  "  What  news  from 
Vienna,  General  ?  " 

"  Your  Majesty,  the  roads  are  so  bad,  that  I  do  not  expect  the 
courier  before  I  receive  a  reply  to  my  last  note." 

"  But  that  does  not  hinder  you  from  receiving  news  from  your 
Prime  Minister." 

"  Sire,  deign  to  believe  that  to-day  it  is  more  easy  for  a  courier 
to  pass  to  Turkey  thi'ough  the  Russian  frontier." 

"I  do  not  think  so,"  answered  Napoleon  abruptly.  ''The 
Prime  Minister  Stadion  would  find  hindrance  to  communication 
if  he  had  avoided  Austerlitz  !  " 

The  ambassador  stretched  himself  and  lifted  his  head. 

"  I  shall  communicate  the  hint  given  to  me  to  the  minister 
Stadion  without  any  commentaries." 

Napoleon  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  I  do  not  understand,  myself,  v/hat  is  his  aim !  He  wishes 
to  try  my  patience !  The  example  of  Prussia  is  not  sufficient 
for  you  ?  " 

"  Sire,  I  am  unable  to  understand  the  connection  which  you 
are  so  kind  as  to  see." 

"I  have  proofs  of  how  much  your  assm'ance  means.  You 
received  Goetz,  the  envoy  of  defeated  Prussia ;  you  maintain 
friendly  relations  with  St.  Petersburg  through  Merveldt.  Is  not 
that  enough  ?     And  the  army  going  to  Galicia  ?  " 

General  Vincent  drew  nearer  Napoleon.  "  I  permit  myself. 
Sire,  to  draw  your  attention  to  my  credentials,  which  I  had  the 
honour  to  present.  .  .  .  My  presence  alone  ..." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  183 

"Proves  everything  but  sincerity.  You  permit  yourself  to 
be  humbugged  with  the  idea  that  you  will  gain  an  alliance  Avith 
exhausted  states.  You  forget  that  on  the  shores  of  the  Rhine 
I  have  an  army  ready  to  back  my  words  !  " 

"  I  can  assure  yoUj  Sire^  that  the  Austrian  Court  never  had 
moi*e  peaceful  intentions  than  it  has  to-day,  and  that  it  not  only 
intends  to  keep  friendly  relations,  but  also  would  like  to  stop 
the  tempest.  But  the  Austrian  Court  must  also  remember  the  in- 
tegrity of  its  frontiers,  and  must  keep  order  within  them.  In  the 
meanwhile,  a  flame  is  beginning  to  rage  here  which  so  naturally 
connected  with  the  combustible  materials  in  Galicia  that.  Sire, 
my  Emperor  is  obliged  to  remember  the  danger,  especially  when 
he  does  not  know.  Sire,  either  your  plans  or  the  limits  of  your 
declared  movements ! " 

Napoleon  frowned,  and  said  nervously :  "  It  is  time  for  you  to 
know  that  I  keep  treaties ;  I  have  given  proofs  of  it." 

"  But  thei'e  is  no  question  about  the  treaty,  but  about  events 
standing  beyond  it." 

"  You  have  placed  troops  to  preserve  order  on  the  frontier  of 
Galicia." 

"^To  what  does  it  amount,  when  thousands  of  proclamations 
signed  by  Dombrowski  and  Wybicki,  and  in  your  name.  Sire, 
penetrate  and  excite  peaceful  minds,  encourage  desertion, 
arouse  confidence  in  your  Majesty's  protection." 

"  It  is  impossible  !  " 

"  My  Emperor  would  like  not  to  believe  it,  but  Governor 
Wurmser  sends  proclamations  every  day  that  he  has  seized,  and 
the  commandant  of  the  cordon.  Count  Neupperg  ..." 

"  Enough,  General !  If  anything  of  the  kind  happens,  it  is 
an  abuse,  which  I  shall  order  to  be  stopped.  Then  you  can 
assure  your  Emperor  that  if  I  have  some  plans  in  regard  to  this 
Prussian  province,  I  do  not  propose  to  resuscitate  dead  men ! 
I  think  that  such  an  answer  should  suffice." 

''Entirely,  Sire,  especially  in  conjunction  with  the  preventive 
orders  which  you  assure  me  are  carried  out." 

Napoleon  nodded,  and  looked  sharply  at  the  group  of  his 
satellites. 

Prince  Bassano  was  the  lucky  one  Avho  guessed  the  Emperor's 
wish,  and  he  came  near. 


184  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"Sire?" 

"  Wybicki !  "  commanded  Bonaparte.  Wybicki  came  at  once. 
General  Vincent  discreetly  withdrew  towards  Murata  not  losing 
sight  of  the  face  of  the  hated  agitator,  the  evil  spirit  of  the 
Viennese  diplomacy  of  those  days. 

The  Emperor  was  silent,  as  if  pondering  over  something. 

Wybicki  stood  for  a  while  in  an  attitude  full  of  respect,  and 
then  said  with  his  customary  simplicity — 

"You  were  kind  enough  to  call  me,  Sire  ?" 

Bonaparte  put  his  hand  deeper  under  the  uniform  on  his 
breast,  and  asked  severely :  "  What  is  the  meaning  of  those 
proclamations  distributed  in  GaHcia .''  Who  dares  to  abuse  my 
name  in  such  a  way .''  Do  you  wish  to  begin  disorders  again  ? 
You  do  not  respect  frontiers  ?  Speak !  Why  do  you  not 
speak  ?" 

W^ybicki  bent  under  the  burden  of  those  words ;  he  passed 
his  hand  mechanically  over  his  forehead,  and  dropped  his  head. 

"You  are  unable  even  to  deny  it!"  scolded  the  Emperor 
severely.  "  Perhaps  you  yourself  favoured  that  madness  .''  Why 
do  you  not  speak  ? " 

This  time  Wybicki  lifted  his  head.  There  was  not  a  drop  of 
blood  in  his  face ;  it  was  not  pale,  but  yellow,  like  a  coi-pse. 

"Sire!"  said  Wybicki  at  last,  dominating  with  an  effort  the 
rattling  of  his  throat.  "Sire,  when  you  spoke  to  us  in  BerUn 
you  said  nothing  about  frontiers." 

"  For  they  should  be  respected  of  themselves." 

"Therefore,  if  we  were  carried  away  by  hope,  then  say  one 
word.  Sire,  and  the  songs  of  the  Polish  legions  shall  become 
silent,  and  with  them  shall  cease  faith  in  the  sacrifice  of  our 
blood  shed  in  Italy.  And  although  because  of  that  I  shall  be 
covered  with  ignominy  for  my  blind  confidence  and  faith  in 
your  power  and  your  might,  that  will  be  easier  for  me  than  to 
deny  my  brothers,  or  to  resuscitate  some  of  them  while  others 
are  plunged  into  hopeless  darkness." 

Wybicki  wiped  cold  perspiration  from  his  forehead. 

The  Emperor  looked  at  him  more  quietly  and  more  kindly. 

"  Then  you  imagine  that  for  your  sake  I  shall  provoke  a  third 
state  against  my  army  ?  That  I  shall  begin  a  war  with  Austria 
when  two  armies  are  ready  to  march  against  me  !     And  do  you 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  185 

know  what  the  victory  at  Pułtusk  meant  for  Lannes'  division? 
One  more  such  victory  and  I  may  be  obliged  to  retreat. 
Do  you  understand  ?  And  then^  where  are  the  soldiers  ? 
Where  are  the  armies  ?  Where  are  the  thousands  of  volunteers 
you  promised  ?" 

"They  are  coming  in  every  day." 

"But  they  are  not  sufficient  to  fill  the  gaps  of  my  ranks. 
Come  to  your  common  sense^  and  tell  the  others  to  do  the 
same !  You  must  strike  out  Galicia  from  your  plans,  otherwise 
you  will  be  obliged  to  give  up  all  hopes !  With  Austria  I  am 
bound  by  a  treaty  by  which  you  are  bound  also.  I  admire  your 
self-sacrifice.  I  have  good  intentions  towards  your  country^  but 
I  demand  obedience  !  You  were  overthroAvn  by  centuries ; 
years  might  make  you  stand  up — years,  but  not  one  day !  And 
then,  where  is  your  strength  .''  Where  are  proofs  that  the  rotten 
tree  could  become  green  again  ?  W^ords  !  You  are  strong  in 
words,  but  you  are  lacking  in  deeds.  Remember  that  which  is 
not  in  you  could  not  be  given  to  you  by  any  interventions,  by 
any  treaty ! " 

"Sire!"  whispered  Wybicki,  bending  under  Bonaparte's 
weight  of  words,  "then  command,  what  shall  we  do.^" 

"  Remain  within  the  boundaries  of  the  Prussian  provinces, 
and  then  learn  how  to  judge  things  quietly.     Bassano  ! " 

Maret  came  to  the  Emperor. 

"  Look  at  Monsieur  Wybicki !  Hot-headed  man  !  If  he  were 
in  your  place,  in  one  week  we  would  have  the  whole  of  Europe 
against  us.  Well,  well.  Monsieur  Wybicki,  I  respect  you  even 
when  you  are  as  gloomy  as  you  are  now." 

Wybicki  bowed.     Napoleon  turned  to  Prince  Poniatowski. 

The  Emperor's  conversation  with  Wybicki,  and  the  latter's 
emotion,  did  not  escape  the  inquisitive  looks  of  Prince  Borghese's 
guests. 

Wybicki,  wishing  to  avoid  the  intrusive  questions  that  were 
addressed  to  him,  came  to  Murat,  and  began  a  conversation 
about  expected  provisions  for  the  army,  but  the  cautious  Prince 
of  Berg  got  rid  of  him  with  a  few  words. 

Wybicki  turned  to  Talleyrand,  but  he  also  cut  short  the 
conversation.  He  was  not  better  treated  by  M.  de  Segur,  nor 
even  by  Prince  Borghese. 


186  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

The  suspicion  that  Wybicki  had  lost  the  Emperor's  favour 
made  the  courtiers'  necks  stiff,  and  cooled  down  at  once  their 
former  affection  for  him. 

Wybicki  bit  his  lips.  He  was  looking  among  French  digni- 
taries, not  for  a  favour,  not  help,  not  friendship,  but  simply  for 
a  moment  of  indifferent  conversation,  which  would  permit  him 
to  cool  down  and  to  postpone  a  chat  with  Małachowski,  whose 
looks  he  felt,  and  he  was  certain  that  he  would  have  to  undergo 
another  discussion,  perhaps  still  more  important  in  its  conse- 
quences. 

Wybicki's  fears  were  soon  justified,  for  before  Prince  Borghese 
succeeded  in  withdrawing  from  him,  Małachowski  came.  Wybicki 
wished  to  avoid  him,  but  Małachowski  took  hold  of  his  arm. 

"  Have  you  something  to  say  ?  " 

"  Nothing  !     Nothing  now." 

"  I  thought  you  had  an  important  conversation  with  the 
Emperor!     Should  you  like  to  keep  it  secret.''" 

"  You  know  very  well  that  I  have  no  secrets  from  you. 
Permit  me,  however,  to  think  a  little,  that  I  may  not  say  some 
absurdity." 

Małachowski  conducted  W^ybicki  to  a  window,  and  said,  with 
trembling  voice — 

"  I  beseech  you  to  tell  me  tlie  truth  !  You  are  moved  !  I 
know  that  you  would  not  be  so  impressed  with  a  trifle.  We 
are  standing  in  a  crossway ;  one  imprudent  step,  and  we  are 
in  peril !  Speak !  You  doubt  yourself.  As  for  me,  I  fear 
Napoleon  !  He  Avants  soldiers,  sacrifices  ;  he  wants  more  than 
Ave  can  give,  and  in  exchange  for  that  he  does  not  even  promise 
anything." 

"  The  game  is  begun ;  there  cannot  be  a  question  about 
withdrawing." 

"  So  you  think !  If  we  have  no  guarantees  to-day,  we  turn 
elsewhere." 

"  Who }" 

"  All  of  us  !  The  whole  temporary  Government  Avill  abandon 
Napoleon;  and  with  us  .   .   ." 

"Nobody!"  interrupted  Wybicki  passionately.  "Nobody 
will  follow  us !  Perhaps  twenty,  a  hundred — two  hundred,  that 
will  be  all ;  the  whole  nation  is  for  Napoleon." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  187 

"Then  you  congratulate  yourself  on  the  great  success!  .  .  ." 

"  I  did  Mish  him  well ;  and  notwithstanding  all^  I  believe  .  .  . 
in  the  Emperor !     He  must  count  with  politics.  .  .  ." 

"  With  everybody  but  us  !  " 

"  Our  task  is  to  show  him  that  we  also  constitute  a  force  ! " 

Małachowski  smiled  bitterly. 

"  It  is  difficult  to  prove  that  to  a  man  who  does  not  wish  even 
to  listen.  How  does  he  speak  to  us .''  How  does  he  answer } 
He  commands^  not  taking  into  consideration  our  plans.  Does  he 
treat  you  differently — although  you  deserved  to  be  trusted." 

"  It  is  true !  If  we  could  have  some  one  at  the  Court  w-ho 
could  enhghten  him^  who  could  help  us^  who  could  frustrate 
intrigues  !     Who  would  be  of  the  Court.''  ..." 

"  Do  you  think  of  Murat  ?  " 

"No,  no!  Murat  could  do  nothing.  The  Emperor  appreci- 
ates hini  as  a  soldier,  but  he  does  not  conceal  his  distrust  of  his 
ability ! " 

"  And  for  this  reason  he  wishes  to  adorn  him  with  our 
crown  ?  " 

"  Gossip,  that  is  all !  I  asked  Maret ;  he  flatly  denied  it,  and 
he  does  not  lie !  We  must  think  things  over.  We  must  find 
some  one  near  the  Emperor.  I  do  not  know,  though,  whom. 
I  think  the  best  would  be  Prince  Joseph.  .  .  .  We  could  come 
to  some  understanding.     We  must  not  despise  that  means." 

"  Then  we  have  come  to  that !     We  must  find  such  roads  !  " 

"Politics  has  its  means — not  always  worthy,  but  often  in- 
fallible. We  were  never  politicians,  and  to  the  political 
intrigues  surrounding  us  we  opposed  sentimental  excuses  and 
reproaches,  instead  of  answering  with  the  same  weapons." 

Wybicki,  having  recovered  his  self-possession  and  feeling  his 
superiority  over  Małachowski,  induced  him  to  approach  Ponia- 
toAvski,  who  stood  at  the  other  end  of  the  room  listening 
indifferently  to  Rautenstrauch's  talk. 

Seeing  Małachowski  and  Wybicki  coming  to  him,  the  Prince 
stretched  himself  negligently  ;  as  to  Rautenstrauch,  he  wished 
to  emphasise  his  familiarity  Avith  the  Prince,  and  said  confi- 
dentially to  Wybicki :  "  I  hope  you  will  not  refuse  us  the  news, 
for  the  Prince  and  I  are  both  in  conjectures,  and  do  not  know 
whether  it  is  only  gossip." 


188  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

Wybicki  made  a  grimace,  but  answered,  trying  to  be  civil  to 
one  of  the  Prince's  assistants. 

"  I  must  first  know  the  gossip,  although  I  must  tell  you  that 
I  am  not  a  news-hunter." 

"  But  the  question  is  about  the  Emperor.  They  say  that  he 
is  in  love." 

Wybicki  frowned. 

"  I  do  not  wonder  to  hear  such  news  from  you." 

Rautenstrauch  reddened. 

Prince  Joseph  hastened  to  defend  his  favourite. 

"You  are  too  impulsive,"  he  said  quietl)^  "That  about 
which  Rautenstrauch  is  talking  has  all  the  marks  of  truth ! 
You  came  only  to-day  to  Warsaw,  therefore  you  may  not  know. 
Even  Talleyrand  does  not  make  any  secret  .   .   ." 

"One  cannot  trust  Talleyrand.     He  is  known  for  his  jests." 

"  Madame  Walewska,  however^  enjoys  Duroc's  special  atten- 
tion." 

"  And  undoubtedly  has  influence,"  said  Małachowski,  un- 
expectedly. 

"  It  may  be ;  I  have  heard  of  it,  but  I  doubt  it  being 
anything  durable." 

"  One  cannot  guarantee  that !  Even  concluding  from  the 
past,  one  must  not  be  certain  that  that  sympathy  will  pass 
quickly  !  "  said  the  Prince  sarcastically. 

"  With  all  that,  Samson  has  found  Dalilah  at  Jabłonna.  Pray 
look  to  the  left.  Duroc  is  constantly  with  her.  She  has 
influence — it  is  certain." 

"They  say  that  she  is  not  very  clever  !    Short  success  !  .   ,  ." 

"  Although  with  a  good  guide  !  Madame  de  Vauban  is  very 
much  interested  in  Madame  Walewska." 

Poniatowski  looked  angrily  at  Rautenstrauch. 

"She  must  always  have  a  finger  in  things  ! " 

"  She  wishes  to  live  by  other  people's  lives ! "  defended 
Rautenstrauch. 

The  Prince  bit  his  lips. 

"Gentlemen,  be  so  kind  as  to  stand  near  the  ladies!"  was 
heard  M.  Philippe  de  Segur's  voice.  "  M.  Wybicki,  his  Majesty 
wishes  to  have  you  near  him." 

There   was    a   general   upioar   in   the   I'oom.     Uniforms  and 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  189 

Court  dresses  moved  towards  frocks^  bowed  and  complimented, 
spying  in  the  meanwhile  M.  de  Segm*'s  indications  as  to  the 
place  they  should  occupy. 

The  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  was  very  much  embarrassed, 
for  he  could  not  count  on  Prince  Borghese's  help ;  and  in  the 
meanwhile  the  old  descent  was  opposed  by  existing  rank,  the 
Emperor's  likings  by  ambitions,  mutual  aversion  by  competition. 

In  order  to  avoid  all  difficulties  he  used  a  trick — that  is  to  say, 
that  on  both  sides  of  the  Emperor's  chair  he  put  people  who, 
according  to  etiquette,  had  undoubted  rights,  leaving  the 
remaining  places  to  individual  industry. 

Therefore  the  Emperor  was  seated  between  Madame  Guta- 
kowska  and  Anetka  Potocka ;  further  on  sat  General  Vincent, 
Wybicki,  Małachowski,  Murat  and  Berthier. 

Opposite  the  Emperor  were  seated  Prince  Joseph  Poniatowski, 
the  Princess  Radziwil,  Talleyrand,  Bassano,  Davoust ;  at  last,  as 
if  by  an  accident,  Duroc  and  Pani  Walewska. 

It  was  done  so  quickly,  that  before  any  one  could  grumble,  he 
heard  the  Master  of  the  Ceremonies'  words  full  of  compassion — 

"  You  are  here  .''  How  sorry  I  am  !  But  it  is  Prince  Borghese's 
fault ;  everybody  sat  where  he  pleased.  I  am  so  sorry  !  What 
a  disagreeable  situation  !   .   .  ." 

These  words  acted  admirably. 

Even  the  guests  sitting  at  the  further  ends  of  the  table  were 
looking  towards  the  centre  of  the  table  with  a  feeling  of 
superiority. 

In  the  meanwhile.  Pani  Walewska,  having  found  herself, 
thanks  to  Duroc,  almost  opposite  the  Emperor,  experienced  the 
same  feeling  of  numbness  as  during  her  presentation,  but  it 
passed  away  quickly.  Duroc,  carefully  watching  his  neighbour, 
knew  how,  by  a  clever  conversation,  to  help  her  to  regain  her 
self-possession,  in  which  he  succeeded  much  the  more  easily 
because  the  Emperor  seemed  not  to  look  at  all  at  Pani 
Walewska. 

This  last  circumstance  was  the  principal  cause  of  her  self- 
possession  returning  to  her,  and  even  of  arousing  in  her  a 
certain  amount  of  curiosity  with  which  she  looked  at  the 
Emperor. 

Duroc  was  entertaining  her,  while  Talleyrand,  sitting  on  Pani 


190  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Walewska's  other  side,  not  only  took  part  in  the  Emperor's 
conversation  with  General  Vincent,  but  also  made  from  time  to 
time  some  malicious  remark  to  the  Chamberlain's  wife. 

Consequently,  from  the  Grand  Marshal,  Pani  Walewska 
learned  that  the  official  standing  behind  the  Emperor's  chair, 
dressed  in  a  uniform  of  purple  v,ith  silver  braid,  was  the  Prefect 
of  the  Court,  who  superintended  the  Emperor's  table ;  that  a 
gentleman,  wearing  as  a  senator  a  green  swallow-tail  dress  with 
silver  braid  and  a  white  vest,  was  the  famous  Dunau,  the  son  of 
the  Prince  de  Conde's  chef,  formerly  in  the  same  capacity  with 
the  Bourbons.  Further,  that  the  Emperor  had  his  special 
dishes,  that  he  ate  very  quickly,  and  often  was  absent-minded. 

"  For  instance,  after  jam,  salad  !  "  whispered  Talleyrand. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  Napoleon,  and  could  not  help 
smiling.  The  Emperor  was  helping  himself  to  the  salad  with  a 
spoon  covered  Avith  marmalade. 

Duroc  further  spoke  about  the  Emperor's  habits,  and  laid 
stress  on  the  fact  that  it  was  to  be  considered  as  a  special 
favour  to  dine  at  the  same  table  with  the  Emperor.  Pani 
Walewska  was  very  much  interested,  and  when  Duroc  finished, 
she  said  with  conviction :  "  Very  unusual  likings  and  customs. 
They  do  not  seem,  however,  very  strange  to  me,  rather  it  would 
be  difficult  to  believe  that  such  a  great  man  should  have  the 
same  likings  as  we  !  " 

"Naturally,"  put  in  Talleyrand.  "After  salad,  cheese  ;  and 
after  cheese,  partridges.  Very  original,  and  still  more  in- 
digestible." 

Duroc  made  a  grimace. 

"  The  Emperor  considers  food  as  a  necessity — he  cannot  bear 
les  gourmets;  and  I  can  assure  you  that  M.  de  Perigord  came 
here  after  having  eaten  abundantly  at  home." 

Talleyrand  had  not  time  to  answer,  for  the  Emperor  spoke  to 
him,  and  Duroc  added  :  "  Pray,  look  !  The  Emperor  reaches 
almost  mechanically  the  dishes  i)ut  before  him.  He  puts  his 
hand  .  .   ." 

"  Into  a  sauce,"  interi'upted  Talleyrand. 

"  His  Majesty  is  soiling  his  uniform,"  said  Pani  Walewska  in 
a  whisper  to  Duroc. 

"  No,  Madame,  he  puts  his  hand  on  his  heart ! " 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  191 

"The  Prefect  sliould  call  his  Majesty's  attention  .  .  ." 

"He  cannot  speak  if  he  is  not  asked.  Although  the  Emperor 
is  unusually  indisposed  to-day.     I  assure  you  he  suffers  .  .  ." 

"  The  Emperor  ?  " 

"  He  suffers^  for  he  must  be  silent !  You  do  not  realise  that 
amongst  us  he  is  the  most  bound  by  responsibility  for  every 
word,  look,  movement.  He  cannot  forget  for  one  moment  that 
the  whole  world  is  looking  at  him.  Believe  me,  I  look  at  him 
constantly,  and  the  more  I  read  his  thoughts  the  more  surprised 
I  am.  Do  you  hear,  Vincent  is  making  an  allusion  to  Silesia, 
and  I  am  sure  that  the  Emperor  would  rather  give  them  the 
whole  of  Prussia,  if  instead  of  that  official  conversation  he  could 
exchange  a  few  words  with  you — if  he  could  express  how 
much  .   .   ." 

"  Then  neither  my  prayers  nor  opinions  cai'ry  any  weight  at 
all  ?  "  answered  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Yes,  a  great  weight ;  for  they  wound,  for  they  cause  pain 
.  .  .  but  are  they  able  to  stop  the  throbbing  of  the  heart  ? 
You  seem  to  doubt !  I  promise,  upon  my  honour,  that  I  am  but 
a  very  poor  translator." 

Here  Duroc  raised  his  voice.  The  Emperor  turned  and 
looked  at  Pani  Walewska,  who  became  crimson. 

"You  have  the  proof  how  his  Majesty  remembers  you.  Do 
you  know  what  that  look  meant  ?  Gi'atitude  !  Gratitude  that 
you  are  kind  enough  to  listen  !  " 

"  I  am  powerless  to  decline  ! " 

"  What  cruel  words  !  Then  you  think  that  that  mighty  ruler 
has  no  right  to  a  moment  of  happiness  ?  " 

"Not  at  all !  I  think  that  his  Majesty  is  much  loved  by  the 
Empress." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  that  you  are  sincere  about  it,  although  certain 
details  ought  to  be  known  to  you.  It  would  be  out  of  place  to 
enter  into  those  details.  You  must,  however,  remember  this, 
that  the  Italian  campaign,  covering  his  Majesty  with  wreaths 
of  laurel,  has  ruined  his  former  happiness.  .  .  .  Then,  does  it 
seem  to  you  improper  that  he  M'ishes  to  conquer  it  now  and  to 
be  happy  ?  Do  you  not  see  that  when  you  had  that  thought  to 
go  to  Jabłonna  to  meet  his  Majesty,  that  you  were  directed 
there  by  destiny  ?  .  .  .  Would  you  oppose  it  .^^     If  you  could  see 


192  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

yourself,  when  kneeling  on  the  step  of  the  carriage^  you  pro- 
nounced your  greeting  that  came  from  your  heart !  And 
now  you  refuse  him  even  a  kind  look.   .   .   ." 

"  My  admiration  is  not  lessened  for  one  moment." 

"  I  thank  you  from  my  whole  heart  for  such  words !  They 
will  be  a  cause  of  great  joy  to  the  Emperor." 

"  I  am  afraid  they  will  be  wrongly  understood." 

"  Have  confidence  in  me.  I  respect  you  too  much  to  dare  to 
change  even  one  syllable." 

"NotAvithstanding  that,  I  am  afraid." 

"Your  fear  here  is  out  of  place." 

"Excellency!"  whispered  M.  de  Segur  behind  Duroc's  back. 

The  Marshal  glanced  at  the  Emperor,  who  rose  from  his 
chair. 

The  Emperor's  example  was  followed  by  everybody,  inter- 
rupting the  eating  of  ices  that  had  just  begun. 

Talleyrand,  taking  advantage  of  the  opportunity,  said  a  few 
malicious  witticisms  to  Princess  Jabłonowska,  who  was  in 
raptures  over  his  wit. 

"  How  just !     Incomparable  !  " 

"  But  painful,  for  the  ices  did  honour  not  only  to  the  confiseur, 
but  also  to  our  palates.  Vincent  hastened  so  much,  that  I  am 
afraid  his  mouth  is  frozen.  I  advised  him  to  ask  for  ices  before 
soup !  And  do  you  know  why  the  Emperor  cannot  suffer  an 
underdone  roast }  Well,  because  the  red  colour  reminds  him  of 
his  own  slaughtering.  .  .  ." 

"  Excellent !  I  would  be  afraid  to  have  you  for  a  foe  !  And 
what  do  you  think  of  Walewska  ?  " 

"  I  begin  to  be  afraid." 

"  Then  you  suppose .''  .   .  ." 

"  Nothing  at  all,  only  it  begins  to  be  tedious.  .  ,  .  The  Em- 
peror really  has  neither  time  to  write  love  letters  nor  to  remind 
liimself  of  the  lieutenant's  love  intrigues." 

"Although  to-day  everything  promised." 

"  I  do  not  know,  I  do  not  think  so  !  Exaggerated  !  You  un- 
derstand me,  I  would  already  have  given  up  .  ,  If  she  were 
intelligent  .  .  .  but  with  women  it  is  sometimes  difficult.  I 
have  no  reason  to  make  obstacles,  but  I  lack  motives  for  co- 
operation." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  193 

"You  calculate  too  much  !  Ah,  it  seems  to  me  that  r.I.  Maret 
conducted  her  to  the  drawing-room." 

''I  congratulate,  but  do  not  envy  !  " 

"The  Prince  of  Bassano,  however,  enjoys  great  favours." 

Talleyrand  shrugged  his  shoulders  contemptuously. 

"Sometimes  even  such,  parvemis  as  he  are  necessary." 

The  Princess,  not  knowing  Talleyrand's  hatred  towards  Bas- 
sano,  said  evasively ;  "  Excuse  me,  but  it  is  so  difficult  to  know 
what  is  ti'ue  in  the  gossip — they  said  .   .   ." 

"  And  rightly  !  The  Emperor  honours  not  only  the  Mameluke 
Rouston  with  his  regard,  but  also  caresses  a  horse.  Although  M. 
Maret  has  now  at  Court  an  implacable  competitor,  who  is  abso- 
lutely superior  to  him  by  his  stupidity  .  .  .  Do  you  know  who 
it  is  ?    Prince  Bassano  .  .  ." 

"  Implacable  and  incomparably  mechant  !  " 

"  But  sometimes  truthful.  Can  I  offer  you  my  arm  ?  We  will 
go  to  persuade  ourselves  what  M.  Maret's  protection  will  do  for 
your  sister-in-laAv.  I  am  sure  she  will  gain  nothing,  and  even  I 
would  leave  all  to  M.  Maret." 

"  But  all  our  hope  is  in  you  !  " 

Talleyrand  nodded  kindly,  flattered  by  such  a  confidence  in 
his  cleverness,  and  having  changed  the  subject  of  the  conver- 
sation, introduced  the  Princess  to  the  large  di'awing-room,  in 
which  the  guests,  imitating  the  Emperor,  circulated  in  different 
directions,  simulating  quite  awkwardly  a  freedom  of  move- 
ment and  conversation,  but  in  fact  never  losing  sight,  even  for  a 
moment,  of  Napoleon's  green  uniform. 

If,  however,  the  guests  were  not  at  their  ease  because  they 
were  anxious  to  be  up  to  the  tune  of  solemn  questions  and 
answers,  or  to  catch  every  quiver  of  his  Majesty's  face,  those 
who  knew  the  Emperor  noticed  that  he  himself  was  still  more 
uncertain,  Aveary,  and  unnatural.  He  passed  from  one  end  of  the 
room  to  another,  began  conversation  suddenly  and  equally  quickly 
stopped  it,  very  often  not  having  listened  to  the  answer  given 
to  his  question.  Several  times  he  seemed  to  go  in  the  direction 
where  Pani  Walewska  was  standing  with  Prince  Bassano,  and 
when  half-way  retreated. 

Those  movements  did  not  escape  the  notice  of  Prince  Bor- 
ghese's  guests,  and  were  the  cause  of  whispers  and  unfavourable 
o 


194  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

conclusions,  the  rather  that  M.  de  Segur  was  ah*eady  waiting 
near  the  door,  ready  to  accompany  the  Emperor  to  his  carriage. 
The  prevaiHng  opinion  began  to  be  that  the  rumour  of  Napo- 
leon's fancy  for  Pani  Walewska  was  false,  and  most  persons 
were  pleased,  but  the  members  of  the  Walewski  family  sincerely 
soriy. 

This  impression  was  increased  at  the  moment  when  M. 
d'Hedouville  handed  to  the  Emperor  his  hat  and  gloves. 
Thei'e  was  no  doubt  that  Napoleon  was  going  to  leave  presently. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Emperor  crumpled  his  hat  nervously 
while  he  was  talking  with  Małachowski  and  Prince  Joseph,  or, 
rather,  was  throwing  them  short  sentences. 

"  It  is  war  now  !  Your  first  care  should  be  to  remember  about 
provisions  for  my  army.  Recruiting  goes  on  slowly,  very  slowly! 
General  Gauvion,  notwithstanding  all  his  sympathy  Avith  you, 
complains.  I  have  spoken  of  this  already,  and  I  repeat  it.  I 
shall  constitute  a  temporary  Government." 

"Sire!"  answered  Małachowski,  hesitatingly. 

"  It  is  your  duty  to  listen  !  I  did  not  come  here  intending  to 
be  obliged  to  confess  to  you  whether  and  where  my  cannons  are 
in  position.     Pray,  do  not  mix  in  politics." 

Poniatowski  bit  his  lips;  Małachowski  rubbed  his  high  fore- 
head; while  Napoleon  turned  suddenly,  and  with  firm  steps 
went  to  Pani  Walewska. 

His  movement  was  so  sudden,  so  little  justified,  that  even 
Duroc  was  confused. 

The  Emperor  looked  significantly  at  Maret,  who  withdrew,  and 
Pani  Walewska  remained  alone. 

Napoleon  was  silent  for  a  moment,  as  if  searching  for  words ; 
the  Chamberlain's  wife  bent  to  make  a  curtsey. 

Blood  rushed  to  Bonaparte's  face. 

"Why  do  you  torment  me ? "  he  asked  violently. 

"  Sire  ! "  stammered  Pani  Walewska  with  difficulty 

"  Yes,  you  torment  me  !  You  have  taken  peace  from  me,  and 
now  you  avoid  me.     Why  do  you  avoid  me .''  " 

"  Your  Majesty,  how  could  I  dare  .''  " 

"  It  cannot  be  thus  any  longer !    I  must  have  a  talk  with  you." 

"Sire!" 

"Do  not  shelter  yourself  behind  a  wall  of  titles,  you  have 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  195 

destroyed  tliem  yourself,  you  cannot  retreat  now !  I  am  con- 
stantly thinking  of  you.  To  prove  to  you  that  I  would  like  to 
satisfy  every  one  of  your  wishes^  I  have  to  tell  you  that  your 
brother  has  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel !  " 

"Colonel !  "  repeated  Pani  Walewska  with  hearty  joy. 

"You  will  see  him  in  a  few  days,"  added  Napoleon  kindly, 

"  I  thank  you.  Sire,  and  I  assure  you  that  you  have  dis- 
tinguished one  of  your  most  devoted  officers." 

Napoleon  smiled  benevolently. 

"  I  accept  your  thanks  as  a  token  of  your  future  kindness.  .  .  . 
I  should  be  very  pleased  if  I  could  see  you  so  happy  every  day." 

Here  Napoleon  lifted  his  head  slightly,  and  having  per- 
ceived, behind  Pani  Walewska,  Duroc's  beseeching  look,  shivered 
slightly,  and,  without  answering  Prince  Borghese's  bows,  went 
forward  to  the  door.  When  he  was  going  to  pass  the  threshold 
he  stopped  suddenly,  waved  his  hand  to  the  crowd  of  guests, 
and  disappeared  in  the  vestibule. 

After  the  Emperor's  departure  there  was  silence  in  the  room, 
followed  by  the  uproar  checked  till  now. 

Pani  Walewska  was  surrounded  by  a  compact  crowd  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen.  Compliments,  embraces,  assurances  of  friend- 
ship were  showered  not  only  on  the  Chamberlain's  wife,  but  also 
on  her  husband,  and  even  on  Princess  Jabłonowska. 

In  the  meanwhile,  amid  these  marks  of  tender  solicitude  re- 
sounded the  question  :  "  What  did  the  Emperor  say  to  you  }  " 

The  question,  so  contagious,  so  intrusive,  so  unconsciously 
common  to  all  those  present,  began  at  Anetka  Potocka  and 
Pani  Moszyńska,  and  ended  with  Talleyrand,  Prince  Borghese, 
Wybicki,  and  Małachowski ;  all  were  burning  with  the  desire  of 
knowing  the  conversation. 

To  all  this  Pani  Walewska  was  so  confused  and  enervated  that 
she  could  not  answer,  and  thereby  excited  further  curiosity. 

Pani  Walewska's  eyes  were  already  filling  with  tears,  her  lips 
began  to  shiver  and  grow  pale,  when  at  last  Madame  de  Vauban 
came  to  her  help. 

The  Countess  displayed  such  ability  and  presence  of  mind,  that 
Pani  Walewska  did  not  notice  when  she  was  conducted  out  of 
the  room,  covered  with  her  furs,  and  driven  to  the  Blacha  Palace, 
to  Madame  de  Vauban's  apartment. 


196  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

Only  here  Pani  Walewska  burst  into  tears. 

The  Countess  was  moved. 

"  Dear  child  !  We  are  alone  here.  Cry — it  will  do  you  good  ! 
I  know  by  myself !  Such  a  grave  moment  of  life !  And  what 
did  he  tell  you  ?     Tell  me,  my  dear  child  !     Tell  me  !  " 

Pani  Walewska,  sobbing,  repeated  as  exactly  as  she  could  the 
conversation  with  Napoleon. 

Madame  de  Vauban  listened  attentively,  and  then  she  con- 
cluded :  "There  is  destiny  in  all  this !  Have  you  not  consulted 
a  fortune-teller } " 

"  No." 

"  H'm !     Pity  ;  I  am  sure  she  would  have  foretold  it  to  you." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  astonished. 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  child.  Especially  Heliodora  !  I  cannot 
forgive  myself  for  not  having  taken  you  to  her.  She  is  astonish- 
ing.    You  must,  you  must  see  her !  " 

Pani  Walewska  shook  her  head  negatively. 

"1  do  not  believe  in  sorcery  !  " 

"  Child  !  It  is  not  sorcery,  but  power  of  reading  the  pages  of 
human  life  !  I  do  not  believe  in  sorcery  myself,  but  I  was  con- 
vinced. It  was  hard  foT  me,  for  fate  did  not  spare  me  bitterness. 
It  is  true  that,  knowing  what  I  had  to  expect,  I  suffered  awfully, 
but  it  passed  soon  !  I  became  quieter  ;  I  accepted  my  destiny, 
and  my  life  was  bearable  again.  But  not  everyone  is  destined 
to  suffer.  I,  perhaps,  in  spite  of  all,  walked  too  long  on  roses — 
fate  avenges  itself  now !  But  one  who  has  suffered  early  in 
life  is  rewarded.  You  are  the  best  proof  of  it.  I  doubted  it 
yesterday,  but  I  am  sure  of  it  to-day.  One  step  more,  and  you 
will  reach  unattainable  heights  !  One  word  will  suffice  to  place 
at  your  feet  the  man  who  commands  the  nations  ! " 

Pani  Walewska  trembled,  her  eyes  became  fiery. 

"  Never !  Do  you  hear  me !  I  prefer  solitude,  isolation, 
desertion,  I  shall  not  allow  myself  to  be  entangled  in  any 
intrigue  !  I  know  now  you  are  plotting  against  me — you  also ! 
You  wish  to  humbug  me — you  wish  to  push  me  into  an  abyss. 
But  I  shall  not  permit  it — I  shall  use  all  my  strength — I  shall 
not  surrender  !  I  thought  you  were  my  friend  ;  but  now,  when 
you  speak  to  me  like  a  foe,  I  know  what  drew  you  to  me !  You 
and  the  Marshal  and  the  Princess,  you  all  have  one  aim,  to  make 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  197 

of  me  a  sacrifice  for  your  plans.  But  I  shall  know  how  to  defend 
myself.  You  are  pushing  me  to  extremes,  but  you  must  be 
careful,  else  you  will  regret  it !  If  my  husband  will  not  protect 
me,  I  know  what  I  shall  do.  During  the  first  reception,  first 
revieAV  of  the  troops,  I  will  fall  at  his  feet,  and  aloud,  in  presence 
of  all,  I  Avill  tell  him  all  the  truth,  and  then,  notwithstanding 
all  his  intentions,  he  will  be  obliged  to  respect  his  own  majesty." 

"^But  this  is  madness  !  " 

"  You  are  driving  me  to  it !  ' 

"Then  you  do  not  know  Bonaparte." 

"  He  is  too  great  to  be  villainous  !  It  will  be  as  I  said  !  And 
if  this  fails  .  ,  .  there  is  another  means.  ..." 

Pani  Walewska' s  voice  broke  down  and  changed  into  spas- 
modical weeping. 

Madame  de  Vauban  was  moving  her  fan  nervously.  At  last 
she  made  an  effort  to  recover  her  calm,  and  said  coolly :  "  I 
thought  you  were  already  a  Avoman,  but  I  see  that  you  are  only 
a  capricious  child,  who  does  not  understand  its  own  good." 

"  I  was  taught  to  have  only  one  name  for  shame." 

The  Countess  laughed  nervously. 

"You  go  too  far — your  imagination  can-ies  you  away." 

"  I  see  things  better  than  ever." 

"  So  you  thmk.  You  have  not  the  slightest  idea  of  the  Court, 
its  ways  and  customs." 

"These  few  days  have  been  enough.  .  .  ." 

"I  cannot  believe." 

"  For  you  do  not  knoAv  what  the  Emperor  asked  me  for  1  '* 

"  Probably  a  rendezvous." 

"  And  you  find  this  natural,  right  ?  " 

"  It  depends  how  one  understands  a  rendezvous." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  astonished. 

"It  depends  how  one  understands  a  rendezvous"  repeated 
Madame  de  Vauban  emphatically.  "As  for  me,  for  instance, 
I  do  not  see  anything  bad  in  it.  A  woman  is  ahvays  mistress  of 
a  situation — a  woman  knows  hoAV  to  keep  an  adversary  in  the 
limits  of  decency ;  on  a  Avoman  depends  everything.  Can  you 
deny  it.-^  You  are  puzzled  by  the  Emperor's  request.  Then 
you  do  not  understand  that  at  the  reception  he  cannot  either 
distmguish  you  too  much,  or  satisfy  his  own  desire  of  talking 


198  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

with  you.  Then  you  do  not  know  that  he  is  not  allowed  to  be 
a  man^  who  wishes  to  find  an  innocent  pleasure  in  a  conversation 
with  a  woman  for  whom  he  feels  some  liking  ?  Only  a  rendezvous 
frees  him  from  curious  looks  and  ears^  spying  every  one  of  his 
movements,  every  one  of  his  words  !     But  it  is  so  simple  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  answer. 

Madame  de  ^^auban  felt  her  ascendency. 

"  You  are  surprised  at  my  co-operation,  at  my  joy  on  account 
of  your  success .''  Am  I  not  right  in  it,  thinking  that  you  may 
have  influence  with  the  Emperor,  that  you  can  do  lots  of  good, 
obtain  many  favours  without  any  bad  consequences  to  yourself.'' 
Look,  the  most  prominent  people  care  for  one  of  his  words, 
while  you,  from  unreasonable  scruples,  push  away  his  hand  put 
out  to  you.  Have  you  a  right  to  do  so .''  You  think  your  husband 
will  dare  to  tell  you  anything  else  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  rose  from  the  chair  and  picked  up  her  shawl. 

"  Why  do  you  not  answer .'' " 

"  I  am  going  home  !  " 

"  I  dare  not  detain  you.     Permit  me  to  conduct  you." 

"  No,  thank  you." 

"  I  cannot  let  you  go  alone.  If  my  company  is  not  agreeable, 
I  will  ask  Czosnowska." 

"  Very  well,  provided  it  be  at  once  !  " 

Madame  de  Vauban  bit  her  lips  and  rang  for  a  servant. 

"Ask  Madame  Czosnowska." 

"  Madame  Czosnowska  is  entertaining  guests ;  just  now 
M.  Talleyrand  and  M.  Philippe  de  Segur.   .  .   ." 

Madame  de  Vauban  made  a  sign  to  the  servant  to  leave  them. 
She  turned  to  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Marie,  these  gentlemen  came  for  you.  You  should  show 
yourself  kind  .  .  .  they  can  do  very  much  with  the  Emperor.  .  .  ." 

"I  asked  you  for  a  carriage." 

Madame  de  Vauban  stretched  herself  proudly. 

"You  shall  have  it,"  said  she  haughtily,  and  went  away. 

A  long,  tiring  moment  passed. 

Pani  Walewska  came  to  a  window,  put  her  burning  head  on 
the  frost-covered  pane,  and  listened  to  the  noise  coming  from 
the  street ;  she  was  invaded  by  a  kind  of  toi*por  of  thought,  a 
sudden  insensitiveness.     Her  whole  attention  was  concentrated 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  199 

on  the  tintinabulation  of  bells  and  the  squeaking  of  frozen 
axle-trees^  on  the  tramping  of  horses  and  shouts  of  coachmen. 

Under  Pani  Walewska's  warm  breath  the  ice  covering  the 
window-pane  thawed,  and  she  could  now  see  the  square  of  the 
Blacha  Palace. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  looked  out  with  childish  curiosity  at 
the  carriages,  the  Prince's  footmen  rushing  from  and  to  the 
carriages,  the  uniform  of  French  gentlemen,  the  gaping  crowd, 
ladies  almost  carried  in  footmen's  arms,  testifying  to  the 
numerous  guests  that  crowded  Madame  de  Vauban's  drawing- 
room  in  Prince  Joseph  Poniatowski's  palace. 

It  was  already  dark. 

Pani  Walewska  turned  away  from  the  window  in  order  to  ring 
for  a  servant  and  to  demand  a  carriage,  when  she  found  herself 
clasped  by  two  soft,  delicate  arms. 

Pani  Walewska  trembled.    A  quiet,  agreeable  laugh  was  heard. 

"  It  is  I— Fryne  !  " 

''Czosnowska !  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  my  dear,  dearest  Madame  !  Excuse  me,  but  I  was 
standing  behind  you,  and  all  at  once  something  caught  me  by 
the  heart.  .  .  .  Permit  me  to  remain  with  you  like  this.  .  .  . 
You  are  so  good,  so  noble.  What  I  would  give  if  I  could  get  the 
same  strength  ! " 

Pani  Walewska,  taken  unawares  by  that  outburst  of  tender- 
ness, could  not  resist  it. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Czosnowska  cringed,  nestled  her  shapely 
head  on  Pani  Walewska's  bosom,  and  made  confidences  of  her 
weakness. 

"  If  I  were  like  you,  the  Prince  would  love  me  better? 
Undoubtedly !  But  I  cannot,  I  do  not  know  how  !  Sometimes 
I  promise  to  myself  to  be  proud,  hard.  And  what  happens  .''  One 
of  his  looks,  and  my  wish  is  gone.  I  am  perishing  for  him.  I 
suppose  they  have  spoken  to  you  about  me — and,  I  am  sure, 
badly  too  !  Did  I  not  wish  to  be  a  good  girl .''  But  it  is  so  hard, 
so  very  hard  !  " 

Czosnowska  sighed, 

"  They  call  me  Fryne  !  In  the  beginning  it  made  me  angry, 
but  now  it  amuses  me.  For  him  everything  !  Have  you  loved 
already  in  your  life  ?     No .''     Is  it  possible  to  live  without  love .'' 


200  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

As  for  me,  I  loved,  and  I  do  not  love  for  the  first  time,  but  the 
Prince  the  best !  Light  ?  What  for  ?  Put  the  candelabra  on 
the  mantelpiece.     I  adore  dusk  !  " 

"  The  Countess  promised  me  a  carriage,"  said  Pani  Walewska, 
wishing  to  stop  Fryne's  volubility. 

"  It  will  soon  be  ready ;  they  will  let  us  know.  You  will 
permit  me  to  accompany  you  ?  But  why  do  you  hasten  ?  I 
could  spend  years  and  years  with  you  !  Are  you  not  comfortable 
and  quiet  here .''  " 

Czosnowska  pulled  Pani  Walewska  gently  to  a  sofa,  and  when 
she  was  seated  she  bent  her  head,  and  with  her  delicate  and  soft 
hands  began  to  caress  Pani  Walewska's  hand. 

"  What  a  lovely  hand  you  have,  and  what  superb  hair  !  What 
would  I  give  if  I  had  the  same  ?  My  hair  used  to  be  quite 
abundant.  I  spoiled  it  by  papillotes.  What  can  I  do  .-^  I  must 
please.  .  .  ." 

Czosnowska  laughed,  showing  two  roAvs  of  white  pointed 
teeth,  and  adorning  her  fresh  face  with  a  couple  of  coquettish 
dimples. 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  movement  of  impatience.  Fryne's 
caresses,  her  laughter,  long  and  lazy  looks,  neglectfulness  in  her 
heavy  movements,  and  finally  the  dizzying  scent  of  musk  with 
which  Czosnowska  was  saturated,  irritated  the  Chamberlain's 
wife,  shocked  her  by  some  repelling  sensuality. 

"You  spoke  about  a  carriage." 

"Then  really  we  must  be  going } " 

"I  do  not  know  about  you.  As  for  me,  after  the  last 
conversation  with  the  Countess,  I  have  nothing  more  to  do  in 
this  house." 

"You  are  angry  with  the  Countess?" 

"  It  may  be." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  She  is  so  good,  so  noble  !  You  would  never 
believe.  Well,  formerly  Pepi  was  in  love  with  her,  then  with 
Krysia.  ...  I  was  awfully  afraid  of  Vauban ;  and  imagine  to 
yourself  who  made  our  acquaintance,  who  facilitated  our  first 
rendezvous  ?  She  !  She  became  my  friend,  my  confidante,  my 
good  spirit !  Tell  me,  is  it  not  beautiful,  is  it  not  romantic  and 
noble  on  her  part  ?  She  loved,  but  noticed  that  her  lover  grew 
cool,  and  through  love  for  him  has  forgotten  her  own  pain,  her 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  201 

own  desertion,  and  wished  only  for  his  happiness.  She  breathes 
with  his  happiness,  she  Hves  by  his  happiness  !  Such  is  Vauban  ! 
And  if  you  knew  how  she  talks  of  you,  how  she  loves  you.  ..." 

"  It  may  be.  .  .   ." 

Czosnowska  moved  her  head  sadly 

"  They  must  have  told  you  awful  things  of  the  Countess ! 
I  am  sure  of  it ;  but  it  is  all  gossip  !  And  they  are  angry,  the 
most  on  account  of  her  husband,  M.  de  Vauban.  Very  elegant 
and  decent  man ;  one  cannot  wonder  at  what  he  has  done. 
Pepi  met  Vauban  at  Bruxelles ;  then  they  expected  that  he 
would  inherit  from  his  uncle,  and  in  presence  of  such  a  future 
M.  de  Vauban  deemed  it  his  duty  not  to  stand  in  the  way. 
And  he  acted  very  wisely,  with  dignity.  He  did  not  want  to 
hinder  his  wife's  future." 

"And  you  call  that  duty  ? " 

Czosnowska  lifted  her  big  convex  eyes. 

"Naturally.  You  understand,  Pepi  had  some  future.  The 
late  king  thought  seriously  about  inheritance !  M.  de  Vauban 
was  obliged ! " 

"  There  are  different  ideas !  I  shall  not  try  to  persuade  you 
of  those  others.  ..." 

"Truly,  you  seem  to  be  hurt.  .  .  And  I  had  no  intention. 
As  for  you,  it  is  quite  different !  I  love  you,  admire  and  envy ! 
Ah,  how  much  I  would  give  only  for  the  feeling  that  the  one 
for  whose  kind  word  the  whole  world  is  searching,  bows  to  me, 
bends  to  me,  is  humble  before  me !  It  makes  my  skin  creep  ! 
To  tame  such  a  lion,  to  subdue  such  a  conqueror,  to  bind  him 
with  a  ribbon  of  love,  this  is  a  most  glorious  victory !  I  would 
give  half  of  my  life  for  it !  " 

"  But  you  love  the  Prince .'' " 

"Very  much  indeed,"  acknowledged  Fryne  with  simple 
frankness;  " but  the  other  is  Napoleon  !  .  .  ." 

"  I  had  forgotten  that  reason  !  Good-bye  !  If  the  carriage 
is  not  ready  I  am  going  on  foot ! " 

"  Then  you  will  not  go  to  the  drawing-room.  There  every- 
body wishes  to  see  you  !  .      ." 

"Good-bye !" 

Czosnowska  sighed  submissively  at  such  determination,  and 
ordered  the  carriage,  in  which  Pani  Walewska  returned  home. 


CHAPTER  X 

PANI  WALEWSKA  was  very  much  surprised  when  next 
morning  her  chambermaid  announced  to  her  Chevalier  de 
Bolesha's  visit.  The  Chamberlain's  wife  could  not  recollect 
where  she  had  seen  the  man,  and  supposing  that  his  visit  was 
prompted  simply  by  politeness,  ordered  herself  to  be  excused 
on  account  of  indisposition.  The  servant,  however,  returned 
after  a  while  with  a  note,  and  told  her  mistress  that  Chevalier 
de  Bolesha  must  see  her. 

Pani  Walewska,  in  the  first  moment,  suspected  that  the  Grand 
Marshal  had  chosen  this  man  as  his  new  ambassador,  and  was 
ready  to  send  the  bore  away,  when  her  look  fell  on  the  note 
handed  to  her.  She  grew  confused.  The  note  contained  the 
laconic  words,  *'  In  Gorayski's  name,  and  at  his  urgent  request." 

Pani  Walewska  ordered  the  guest  to  be  shown  into  the 
drawing-room  next  her  boudoir,  and  having  dressed  hastily, 
came  to  him,  trying  to  be  calm. 

Bolesha  greeted  her  with  a  respectful  bow. 

''Your  humble  servant,  Madame.  I  am  Bolesha.  I  knew 
you  when  you  Mere  a  baby.  Parole  cVhoniicur  !  years  of  friend- 
ship with  your  father  ..." 

"  I  am  very  glad  ;  pray  be  seated  !  "  answered  Pani  Walewska 
hesitatingly. 

"  I  beg  of  you  to  excuse  my  boldness,  but,  parole  d'honncur  !  it 
seems  to  me  that  it  was  yesterday  when  I  carried  you  in  my 
arms  !     Good  times,  old  times  ! " 

" You  came  in  the  name  .  .  .}"  asked  Pani  Walewska,  who 
very  much  disliked  Bolesha's  crimson  face  as  well  as  his  swollen, 
piercing  eyes. 

Bolesha  breathed,  drew  the  chair  nearer  Pani  Walewska,  and 
said  quietly :   "  Precisely  .  .  .  Pan  Stanislaus  ...  in  trouble, 

202 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  203 

MadamCj  on  account  of  his  good  intentions !  He  is  very,  very 
dangerously  Avounded.  Well,  such  a  wound  is  not  painful ! 
Parole  d'honneur,  such  a  wound  sometimes  brings  relief!  My- 
self— how  many  times  ..." 

"  Then  Pan  Gorayski  .  .  .  ?  " 

"  Very  bad,  Madame  !  " 

"Is  he  in  danger?" 

"  In  very,  very  great  danger," 

"  Is  he  being  well  looked  after  ?  " 

"  Pan  Kozietulski  is  constantly  with  him ;  the  wound  is  very 
bad,  but  the  question  is  not  about  the  wound,  Madame,  you 
understand — the  Emperor  .  .  .  Napoleon ! " 

"  I  do  not  know  what  you  have  in  your  mind.  .   .  ." 

Bolesha  winked  significantly,  and  began  to  pronounce  slowly  : 
"  The  Emperor  is  personally  concerned  in  the  affair  !  Governor 
Gauvion  has  been  commanded  to  arrest  Chevalier  de  Gorayski. 
It  is  so  unfortunate !  Parole  d'honneur,  any  man  who  acted 
diffei'ently  would  have  been  a  knave !  Herceau  avenged  him- 
self twice,  for  he  not  only  stabbed  him  unexpectedly,  but  also 
accused  him  afterwards.  The  insult  to  his  Majesty  appeared 
at  once  !  It  is  a  serious  insult  to  the  Emperor.  .  .  .  The  Court 
must  enforce  due  respect,  and  our  temporary  Government  is 
obliged  to  help  in  order  to  testify  its  loyalty.  To  speak  shortly, 
Madame,  the  situation  is  awfully  sad,  and  the  only  help  lies  in 

you!" 

"  In  me !  If  I  only  could !  I  hope  Pan  Gorayski  does  not 
doubt,  that  remembering  ..." 

"That's  it,  that's  it!"  interrupted  Bolesha.  "Here  my 
boldness  is  justified  !  We  went  here  and  there  seeking  for  ways 
to  end  the  affair,  but  when  everything  was  in  vain.  Pan 
Stanislaus  took  me  by  the  hand  and  said :  '  Go  to  her  ! ' — he 
meant  to  you,  Madame — 'she  will  not  abandon  me — she  will 
help  me  ! '  So  he  spoke,  jjarole  d'honneur  !  It  made  my  heart 
bleed.  .  .  ." 

"  If  my  intervention  could  do  anything  ...  I  hope  that 
Marshal  Duroc  will  not  refuse.  .  .  ." 

"  Ah  !  not  the  Marshal,  Madame,  it  must  be  directly  to  the 
Emperor ! " 

"  But  you  know  access  to  him  is  difficult." 


204  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

^'Wellj  I  do  not  think  it  is  for  you,  Madame,"  answered 
Bolesha  with  a  stupid  smile. 

Pani  Walewska  dropped  her  head. 

"  You  are  mistaken." 

"  I  think,  however,  that  the  Emperor  will  not  refuse  you  an 
audience." 

"  It  is  out  of  the  question  to  think  of  that." 

"  Ergo,  Pan  Gorayski's  hope  in  you  was  useless." 

"  Not  at  all.  I  will  do  all  in  my  power.  I  will  speak  to  the 
Grand  Marshal  and  to  M.  de  Perigord.  .  .  ." 

"  H'm  .  .  .  yes,  certainly !  But  those  roads  are  too  long. 
Parole  d'ho7ineiir,  if  you  would  permit  me,  Madame,  I  could 
arrange  an  audience  for  you." 

"  I  thank  you  very  much,  but  I  will  not  take  advantage  of 
your  intervention." 

Bolesha  rose  heavily. 

"Then  what  shall  I  say  to  Gorayski  ?  " 

"What  you  have  heard." 

"  You  will  excuse  me,  Madame,  but,  knowing  his  inner  senti- 
ments, I  do  not  think  that  I  shall  have  the  courage  to  disappoint 
him  so  painfully  !  It  seems  that  you  do  not  realise  in  what  peril 
he  is.  He  might  be  shot  .  ,  .  he  might  become  the  victim  of 
vengeance." 

Pani  Walewska  grew  irritated  by  Bolesha's  voice. 

"  I  shall  be  very  sorry  ! " 

"  Madame  !  parole  d'honneur,  this  is  not  sufficient !  He  must 
be  protected ;  it  is  almost  your  duty.  There  will  be  inquiries 
.  .  .  what  was  the  origin  .  ,  and  the  result  will  not  be  plea- 
sant for  the  Chamberlain.  Poor  Gorayski  counted  on  a  different 
sort  of  protection,  but  as  his  feeling  does  not  find  sympathy, 
then,  parole  d'honneur,  he  must  consider  his  peril." 

Pani  Waleswka  shivered. 

"  You  are  too  bold  in  your  conjectures.  I  respect  Pan 
Gorayski  as  my  brother's  friend." 

"  Evidently,  evidently !  I  do  not  venture  to  doubt  that  brother- 
hood, provided  it  produces  some  result." 

"We  shall  see.     And  now  you  must  excuse  me.      .   ." 

Bolesha  smiled  ironically,  bowed  to  the  floor,  and  began  to 
withdraw  to  the  door. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  205 

"  I  am  your  servant !  We  expected  .  .  ,  but  things  have  turned 
out  quite  differently.  My  respects  to  you^  Madame  !  I  hope  that 
the  Chamberlain  will  be  kind.     Your  most  humble  servant !  " 

Pani  Walewska^  hearing  her  husband's  name,  stopped  Bolesha, 

"  What  do  you  propose  to  do  ?  " 

"  Nothing,  Madame !  To  knock !  to  rescue  the  youth  from 
peril." 

^•^But  what  can  the  Chamberlain  do.'" 

Bolesha  lifted  his  eyebrows. 

"  Ah,  very  much  indeed !  We  must  try  him.  Oho !  Pan 
Anastazy,  parole  d'honneur,  has  influence.  His  word  carries 
weight,  and  he  will  say  that  word ;  for  although  he  may  be 
angry  with  Gorayski  .  .  .  but  he  must  be  careful  of  people's 
tongues !  .  .  ." 

"  In  a  few  words,  you  wish  to  persuade  my  husband  that  his 
dignity  requires  him  to  consider  Gorayski's  affair  as  his  own  ?  " 

Bolesha  protested  with  well-played  sincerity. 

"  The  idea,  Madame  !  How  could  I  dare  }  Never  !  I  shall 
only  try  to  find  help,  and  for  that  I  shall  use  means.      ,  ." 

"  And  if  I  consent  to  speak  to  the  Emperor  ?  " 

"  Madame,  eternal  gratitude  !  And  not  mine  alone  :  Kozie- 
tulski, Krasiński,  and  twenty  others !  Not  to  speak  of 
Gorayski.  .  .   ." 

"I  must,  however,  consider." 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  say  that  this  is  impossible." 

"  In  that  case  ..." 

"Perhaps  till  evening.     It  is  impossible  any  longer." 

"  You  are  too  urgent.  Even  if  I  decided  to  see  the  Emperor, 
I  could  not  do  it  as  soon  as  that." 

"  It  is  true,  Madame,  although  I  imagined  otherwise.      .  ." 

"Let  us  not  speak  about  that  anymore,"  interrupted  Pani 
Walewska.  "This  evening  you  shall  receive  my  answer.  In 
the  meanwhile  assure  Pan  Gorayski  that  his  friendship  with 
my  brother  will  prompt  me  to  do  anything  that  is  in  my  power." 

"  I  am  greatly  obliged.  If  only  an  audience,  Madame. 
Parole  d'honneur,  the  Emperor  will  give  in,  and  for  your  sake 
even  grant  a  riband  to  Pan  Stanislaus.  Most  humble !  Pray 
forgive  my  quick  words,  but  from  good  heart,  from  honest 
thought — I  would  not  hke  to  hurt  the  honoured  Pan  Anastazy!" 


206  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Bolesha  saluted  several  times  and  sneaked  out  of  the  room, 
leaving  Pani  Walewska  alone. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  had  hardly  time  to  think  over  the 
demand  and  to  appreciate  properly  the  behaviour  of  Gorayski, 
who  from  a  hopeless  and  melancholy  admirer  had  suddenly 
changed  into  a  refined  intrigant,  ready  even  to  commit  a  baseness 
if  only  he  could  disentangle  himself  from  a  difficulty  with  the 
authorities^  when  unexpectedly  her  husband  appeared  at  the 
same  door  through  which  Gorayski's  messenger  had  passed. 

Pani  Walewska  became  confused^  in  spite  of  herself,  feeling 
that  she  had  almost  been  entrapped  by  her  kind  thoughts, 
almost  been  determined  that  for  the  sake  of  assuring  for  herself 
peace  she  would  be  forced  to  beg  for  Gorayski's  pardon. 

The  Chamberlain,  however,  did  not  notice  his  wife's  con- 
fusion ;  he  approached  her  respectfully,  deposited  a  kiss  on  her 
forehead,  and  asked  solicitously :  "  How  do  you  feel,  my  dear, 
after  yesterday  }  " 

''Thank  you,  very  well !  " 

"I  am  so  glad,  so  glad.  We  wxre  all  afraid  of  emotion. 
I  wished  to  see  you  earlier,  but  I  did  not  wish  to  fatigue  you ; 
then  they  told  me  that  Bolesha  was  here.  I  preferred  not  to 
interfere.  .  .  .  You  are  looking  marvellously  well.  Yesterday's 
dinner  made  an  impression,  decisive — enormous.  Permit  me  to 
kiss  you !  We  are  placed,  you  understand,  placed !  I  must 
excuse  myself  for  my  previous  doubts !  You  have  shown  such 
political  tact  that  I  have  no  words.  ,  .  .  They  all  speak  of  you. 
Even  Gutakowski  has  lost  his  eloquence,  and  being  surprised 
said :  '  Spiritus  fat,  itbt  vult  ! '  Well,  they  were  obhged  to 
acknowledge  that  you  have  surpassed  all  expectations.  Yester- 
day's dinner  has  fixed  us ;  it  has  strengthened  the  foundations 
put  by  me,  and  the  partisans  of  Dombrowski  are  moved ;  even 
Małachowski  has  forgotten  about  his  Limited  Diet,  and  asked 
permission  to  pay  us  a  visit !  " 

Pani  Walewska  listened  to  her  husband's  joyful  confidences, 
unable  either  to  share  them  or  to  answer. 

The  Chamberlain  rapped  his  snuff-box  noisily,  winked 
significantly  at  his  wife,  and  passing  his  hand  from  his  right 
shoulder  across  his  chest  to  his  left  hip,  he  said  emphatically — 

"  Before  all  here  !     Do  you  understand  ?  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  207 

"  No  !     What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

'^Here!"  repeated  the  Chamberlain^  repeating  the  move- 
ments of  the  hand.     "  Here  it  must  be  !  " 

''But  I  do  not  understand  !  " 

"  The  grand  riband  of  the  Legion!"  explained  the  Chamberlain 
with  a  slight  reproach  in  his  voice. 

"  Grand  riband  }  " 

"  Unquestionably !  and  then  we  will  think  about  other 
honours." 

"Yes,  yes,  certainly." 

"They  will  wish  to  have  you  as  a  lady-in-waiting  on  the 
Empress,  although  I  do  not  know  if  we  should  accept.  They 
say  it  is  a  great  honour,  and  that  privileges  .  .  .  well,  we  shall 
consider ;  but  you  must  mention  Ksawery !  He  is  not  very 
clever,  but  we  must  take  care  of  our  family  and  name  in  him." 

"Yes,  yes,"  repeated  Pani  Walewska  mechanically,  making 
up  her  mind  to  tell  her  husband  about  her  difficult  position,  and 
about  the  snares  set  for  her. 

The  Chamberlain  was  not  satisfied  with  his  wife's  mono- 
syllables, but  tried  to  preserve  good  humour. 

"  I  admired  you  yesterday  !  I  agreed  that  Vauban  is  changed 
in  our  favour.  She  was  obliged  to  yield  like  the  others ! 
Poniatowski  pretends  to  be  stiff  even  yet,  only  very  awkwardly! 
He  is  now  sitting  downstairs  and  waiting.     Let  him  wait ! " 

"  Prince  Joseph  is  in  our  house  ?  " 

The  Chamberlain  laughed  good-humouredly. 

"  Better  ask,  my  dearest,  who  is  not  and  was  not  here  !  Look 
through  the  window  !  A  procession  since  morning  !  I  ordered 
that  you  should  not  be  troubled !  Bolesha  was  allowed,  for  he 
said  that  he  had  some  errand  from  Vauban  for  you." 

"Bolesha  from  the  Countess?" 

"  So  he  told  me,  and  I  let  him  in.  For,  my  dearest,  you  have 
your  own  will !  I  did  not  want  to  interfere  in  your  feminine 
affairs,  but  I  did  not  see  any  reason  why  you  should  receive 
everybody.  The  rooms  are  full.  Who  is  not  and  who  was  not 
here  ?  Poniatowski,  the  Potockis,  Maret,  the  Lubienskis, 
Sobolewski,  Talleyrand,  Corvisart,  de  Segur,  General  Vincent, 
Radziwil,  Duroc,  Mcneval,  Prince  Ornano  ..." 

"  Prince  Ornano  }  "  repeated  Pani  Walewska. 


208  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Bah  !  Crowds.  Sometimes  I  do  not  know  who  is  greeting 
me.     Jabłonowska  consoles  herself  with  them." 

"  I  am  grateful  to  you — I  do  not  Avish  to  see  anybody.  Excuse 
me ;  tell  them  anything  you  like^  provided  they  leave  me  alone 
and  cease  to  care  about  me." 

"You  mean  that  they  should  keep  at  a  respectful  distance! 
Naturally  !  I  thought  the  same.  By-the-by,  Małachowski  came 
and  begged  me  to  let  him  see  you^  and  he  is  waiting.  You 
must  receive  him." 

"But  I  am  not  disposed  to  such  an  honour." 

"There  is  no  honour  in  that — only  politics.  I  must  be  careful 
with  Małachowski — he  has  means — he  can  influence  different 
people  !  You  must  receive  him.  Moderation  !  Let  him  know 
that  although  we  do  not  need  him  we  do  not  repulse  him,  we 
do  not  draw  him  away.  We  are  glad  of  a  rapprochnent,  but 
without  haste  !  I  am  sm-e  you  will  know  how.  I  will  send  him, 
then.  .  .  ." 

"  But  I — with  the  Speaker  of  the  Diet .'' " 

"  The  honour  is  not  on  your  side  !  Let  me  kiss  you  !  Should 
he  bother  you  too  much,  I  will  interrupt  him." 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  excuse  herself  from  receiving 
Małachowski,  for  her  husband,  notwithstanding  his  apparent 
submissiveness,  did  not  accept  her  excuses,  did  not  permit  her 
any  explanation,  and  went  out  to  introduce  the  venerable  and 
aged  speaker. 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  even  say  a  word  of  welcome,  so 
perplexed  was  she. 

Małachowski,  however,  did  not  seem  to  pay  attention  to  the 
Chamberlain's  wife's  evident  distraction,  and  said  first :  "  I  took 
the  liberty  of  troubling  you,  Madame,  but  I  daresay  you  will 
excuse  exceptional  circumstances — very  exceptional  indeed.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  pointed  at  an  armchair. 

Małachowski  looked  imperceptibly  at  the  retreating  Cham- 
berlain, then  sat  down  heavily,  and  dropped  his  head. 

A  long  silence  unbearable  to  Pani  Walewska  followed.  She 
realised  that  it  Avas  her  part  to  speak,  but  could  not  find  any 
words.  Her  whole  attention  was  concentrated  on  the  Speaker's 
thin  withered  figure,  on  his  wrinkled  forehead,  his  tightly 
closed    lips,  on  the  expression  of  solemnity  emanating  from 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  209 

every  movement^  on  the  brightness  shining  not  only  from 
Malachowski's  white  hair,  but  also  from  his  forehead,  from 
every  fold  of  his  grey  swallow-tail  coat,  from  the  large  tie 
round  his  neck,  from  every  vein  looking  through  the  skin  on 
his  long,  bony  hands, 

Małachowski  did  not  in  that  close  contact  lose  any  of  Pani 
Walewska's  high  respect.  On  the  contrary,  he  commanded  a  still 
greater  esteem,  for  he  brought  with  him  the  awe  of  his  merits — 
he  seemed  to  bear  some  immense  sorrow. 

A  long,  painful  moment  passed.  Małachowski  raised  his 
eyes,  and  looked  at  Pani  Walewska  kindly  but  sadly.  She 
blushed  slightly.    Małachowski  smiled  benevolently. 

''  Madame,  you  must  be  surprised  at  my  visit." 

"  I  am  honoured." 

"  Exceptional  circumstances,  exceptional.  Your  father  was  a 
worthy  citizen,  worthy.  ...  I  came  hoping  that  you  had  in- 
herited your  father's  virtues.  I  came  convinced  that  you  will 
not  deceive  the  expectations  we  have  founded  on  you." 

"  I — I — I  do  not  understand  !  " 

Małachowski  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  Very  delicate  matter.  But  consider  my  age ;  permit  me  to 
be  frank ! " 

"  Pray,  be  so  !  " 

Małachowski  cleared  his  throat,  and  began  slowly. 

'^Destiny  chose  that  the  man  in  whose  hands  is  the  fate  of 
Europe  has  conceived  for  you  a  sentiment.  .  .  Therefore, 
although  it  may  seem  to  you  somewhat  discreditable,  we  must 
count  with  that  sentiment,  we  must  have  recourse  to  it,  and 
find  advantages  in  it  for  our  future." 

Pani  Walewska  was  seized  by  a  nervous  shiver.  Małachowski 
did  not  notice  it,  and  continued  with  a  bitter  smile :  "  Yes, 
Madame,  we  have  come  to  that !  You  see  what  is  going  on ! 
Napoleon  fired  the  minds  of  men ;  Napoleon  came  liei*e  like  a 
thunderbolt,  ruined  the  building  of  our  calculations ;  he  accom- 
plished unforeseen  deeds,  he  made  a  plaything  of  us — of 
politics ;  turned  our  country  into  army  stores,  into  recruiting 
barracks.  We  cannot  resist  liim ;  we  are  not  strong  enough  to 
do  it,  and  the  majority  of  us  do  not  understand  that  he  is  the 
bitterest  foe  of  our  poor  existence.  We  cannot  follow  him,  for 
P 


210  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

he  has  given  us  no  guarantee  that  his  intentions  towards  us  are 
honest.  He  asks^  he  demands,  he  commands,  but  in  exchange 
he  does  not  promise  anything,  he  does  not  even  try  to  give  us 
any  illusion.  Not  one  positive  word,  not  one!  .  .  .  Therefore  it 
is  your  duty  to  make  him  say,  to  force  him  to  pronovmce  that 
word.   ..." 

"I — 1}"  whispered  Pani  Walewska,  astonished. 

"  Yes,  you,  Madame  !  You  have  influence ;  you  have  better 
means  than  all  our  prayers,  our  complaints,  our  requests.  ...  It 
is  a  painful  and  humiliating  way  for  us — pray  notice  that  I  do 
not  say  this  with  a  purpose  of  hurting  you — but  we  must  use 
even  such  a  one.  Your  common  sense  is  a  sufficient  guarantee 
to  me  that  you  will  use  your  influence  quietly,  that  you  will 
save  appearances.  For  only  appearances  are  left  to  us.  Do 
ever}i;hing  by  your  own  impulse,  by  all  the  feeling  which  for- 
bids you  to  look  indifferently  at  the  bottom  of  the  abyss  towards 
which  Napoleon  is  leading  us.  He  is  strong  enough  to  turn  us 
from  it,  and  you  are  sti'ong  enough  to  make  him  do  so." 

Małachowski  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked  sadly  towards  Pani 
Walewska. 

"You  are  silent !" 

Pani  Walewska  tightened  her  hand  around  the  arm  of  her 
chair. 

"  You  do  not  like  that  beautiful  mission  ;  you  prefer  not  to  put 
such  hard  conditions  on  your  ruler  ;  you  prefer  the  more  modest 
but  also  safer  position  of  an  imperial  favourite  to  that  perilous 
rule  of  a  Judith .''...  You  are  not  either  prepared  to  be 
Esther,  nor  able  to  rule  like  Dalilah .''  I  understand  you  are 
satisfied  with  such  affection  as  La  Valliere's,  without  Pompa- 
dour's ambition.  But  this  being  the  case,  if  you  do  not  wish  to 
act,  at  least  do  not  hinder,  do  not  spare  a  kind  word — remember 
the  soil  on  which  you  were  born — remember  your  father's 
ashes.  .  .  ." 

Małachowski  breathed  heavily. 

"  You  do  not  answer ! " 

Pani  Walewska  lifted  her  head  with  an  effort,  and  murmured 
quietly  :  "  At  least  do  not  mention  my  father's  name." 

"  I  did  not  wish  to  hurt  you."  ' 

Pani  Walewska  sprang  from  her  seat,  her  eyes  flaming. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  211 

"You  repeat  that  again^  but  you  do  not  hesitate,  never- 
theless, to  make  the  most  insulting  insinuations  to  me,  to 
slander  my  good  name  Avith  abominable  suppositions !  For 
whom  do  you  take  me,  sir  ?  Have  I  given  you  any  reason  to 
suppose  me  the  mistress  of  any  man  whatever  ? " 

Małachowski  was  disconcerted. 

''You  will  excuse  me,  but  the  sympathy  you  were  able  to 
win  ..." 

"  Is  evidently  a  curse  of  my  peace,  of  my  life,  for  it  exposes 
me  to  such  an  insult  as  yours,  sir.  What  do  you  want  of  me  ? 
Where  do  you  wish  to  lead  me  ?  " 

"  But  the  Emperor  ? " 

"  I  told  him  I  have  a  husband,  and  I  repeat  the  same  thing 
to  you.  His  pursuit  made  me  indignant,  filled  me  with  fear. 
But  till  now  I  believed  that  .  .  .  that  .  .  .  those  whom  I  have 
been  taught  to  respect,  would  not  help  him ;  but  I  see  that  I  was 
mistaken,  that  I  was  blind.  There  are  no  means  of  protecting 
a  woman  who,  unfortunately  for  her,  falls  into  the  net  of  Court 
calculations.  You  tried  to  guess  what  lot  J  preferred.  Then  I 
tell  you,  sir:  the  one  which  would  permit  me  to  be  as  far  as 
possible  from  your  plans,  your  splendour,  your  influences  and 
your  world  !     May  God  forgive  you  the  wrong  you  did  me  ! " 

A  spasmodic  weeping  seized  Pani  Walewska  by  the  throat. 

Małachowski  rose  quickly  and  took  her  by  the  hand. 

"Forgive  me!  Do  not  accuse  me!"  he  said  respectfully. 
"Have  consideration  for  my  poor,  sorrowful  grey  head.  I 
believe  entirely  in  the  purity  of  your  thoughts  and  deeds,  in 
the  nobleness  of  your  soul.  I  see  that  you  are  pure.  I  have 
the  fullest  respect  for  you.  I  might  be  your  grandfather.  Do 
not  think  evil  of  me.  They  said— and  people  are  merciless  !  Do 
you  forgive  me  ł     You  are  not  angry  with  me  }  "' 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  through  her  tears. 

"  It  was  so  much  more  painful  because  it  was  you.  .  .  ." 

"  I  withdraw  every  one  of  my  words.  There  is  such  an  en- 
tanglement of  facts.  And  they  said  much  about  you.  Well — 
and  looking  on  you  there,  it  would  be  no  wonder  if  even  such  a 
great  man  should  bend  his  head  before  you !  Do  not  be  gloomy. 
I  offer  you  my  friendship.  I  am  proud  of  your  honest 
answer,  and  although  you  rebuked  me  very  hardly,  yet  I  am 


212  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

joyful.  What  a  shameful  slander  !  I  wonder  whence  it  came, 
and  if  you  knew  what  subtle  intrigues  have  been  made.  I  must 
be  frank  and  tell  you  that,  having  seen  you  conversing  with  the 
Emperor,  I  thought  it  was  a  certainty." 

Pani  Walewska,  moved  by  Malachowski's  fatherly  sincerity, 
told  him  about  her  first  meeting  with  the  Emperor. 

Małachowski  listened  attentively,  and  when  she  had  finished, 
began  to  ask  her  many  questions,  and  thus  learned  all  the  details 
concerning  her  meeting  with  the  Emperor,  conversations  with 
Duroc,  and  the  whole  snare  set  for  her  reputation. 

With  the  progress  of  the  narrative,  Malachowski's  face  grew 
more  and  more  serious. 

"  Therefore  the  suppositions  of  the  Emperor's  affection  were 
not  exaggerated  }  " 

"  Unfortunately  not;  therefore  I  appeal  to  5'our  influence,  and 
I  hope  you  will  not  refuse  me  your  help.  .  .  ." 

"  Help  ?    But  I  see  quite  another  route  for  me." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  him  frightened. 

Małachowski  said  persuasively :  "  Listen  to  me.  When  I 
came  here,  I  feared  only  one  thing,  and  this  was  that  the  news 
about  the  Emperor's  attentions  to  you  was  exaggerated.  I 
doubted  whether  he  thought  as  much  of  you  as  they  said.  After 
your  noble  rebuke,  I  conceived  a  respect  for  you,  and  I  under- 
stand also  that  I  was  mistaken  in  regard  to  the  attentions ;  but 
now  I  come  to  the  conclusion  that  my  request  would  have  more 
importance,  and  would  be  followed  by  surer  results  than  I 
su})posed,  for  they  have  a  guarantee  in  the  purity  of  your 
character." 

"Then  you  also  .  .    " 

"Yes,"  answered  Małachowski  hastily.  "I  see  that  calcula- 
tions founded  on  you  may  bring  much  good  to  our  country;  you 
will  be  able  to  obtain  that  for  which  we  were  begging  in  vain : 
Napoleon's  word !  the  Emperor's  word !  You  will  obtain  it — ■ 
you  must  obtain  it !  Do  not  interrupt  me.  There  are  no  ties 
strong  enough,  there  ax*e  no  oaths  sacred  enough,  not  to  be 
broken  in  such  a  case.  Your  aim  is  great !  sublime !  By 
breaking  your  ties,  by  deliberately  accepting  the  title  of  a 
favourite,  you  will  deserve  the  gratitude  and  respect  of  your 
countrymen!     Your  downfall  will  be  your  exaltation — all  the 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  S13 

purer  because  until  now  you  had  neither  paltry  ambition  nor  a 
vile  thought ! " 

Pani  Walewska  glanced  at  Małachowski  with  a  burning  look. 

"And  my  good  name,  husband^  family?" 

"  It  will  be  an  honour  to  your  husband ;  you  will  become 
dearer  to  your  family;  you  will  yourself  be  conscious  of  your 
sacrifice ;  you  will  give  yourself  unextinguishable  satisfac- 
tion. .  .  ," 

Pani  Walewska  pressed  her  burning  temples  with  her  hands. 

"  Why  do  you  speak  like  that  to  me .''  Why  do  you  ruin 
the  rest  of  my  peace  ?  I  am  afraid  of  that !  You  are  all 
mistaken !  I  have  no  idea  of  diplomacy  and  politics !  I  am 
afraid  of  him  !  Do  you  hear  me  }  I  am  afraid  of  him  !  Let 
me  live  in  my  solitude  !  You  have  other,  more  worthy  women. 
I  cannot  do  anything  with  him.  .  .  .  He  crushes  me  with  his 
look.  .   .   ." 

Małachowski  took  her  by  the  hand. 

"  Do  you  believe  that  I  would  like  to  see  my  own  child  happy, 
that  I  would  like  to  save  her  from  every  shadow  of  sorrow.^ " 

Pani  Walewska  nodded  affirmatively. 

"Then  remember  that  had  you  been  my  own  daughtei',  I 
would  not  hesitate  to  speak  in  the  same  manner." 

The  tears  burst  from  Pani  Walewska's  eyes.  Małachowski 
bent  to  her  respectfully. 

"  Noble  tears !  But  they  are  rather  due  to  the  situation  in 
which  our  country  is,  which  forces  us  to  walk  on  such  roads.  I 
admire  your  pride,  and  it  costs  me  much  to  persuade  you.  What 
horrible  times  we  live  in !  It  would  be  better  if  Napoleon  had 
not  come  here ;  we  should  have  had  fewer  illusions,  but  also 
fewer  disappointments.  Circuhis  viciosns  of  words,  and  only 
one  certainty — that  we  have  to  follow  him,  to  perish  for  him  ! " 

Pani  Walewska  wiped  her  tears  and  asked  nervously  :  "  Then 
what  have  I  to  do  .f" " 

Małachowski' s  face  brightened ;  his  big  grey  eyes  turned  to 
Pani  Walewska  witli  an  expression  of  admiration. 

"  May  God  reward  your  sacrifice  ;  let  Him  inspire  you,  tliat 
you  may  become  our  good  spirit !  " 

"What  then  ?     I  must  know  !" 

"  Before  all  things,  secrecy  !     No  one  must  even  suspect  that 


S14  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

your  yielding  does  not  come  from  your  own  feeling.  Do  you 
understand  ? — nobody  !  I  and  Wybicki  will  watch  and  protect 
you  as  much  as  is  in  our  power — but  you  must  be  silent !  The 
Courtj  your  husband^  your  family^  must  not  guess  anything.  ..." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  bitterly. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  Consequently^  I  have  to  throw  myself  into  the 
Emperor's  arms.     I  have  to  become  .  .  ." 

"  Slowly,  dear  Madame  !  Let  us  talk  more  quietly.  If  you 
succeed  in  getting  one  word  only  from  Napoleon,  you  will 
accomplish  more  than  Wybicki  in  ten  years'  efforts — than  all 
the  blood  poured  c  ut  by  the  Polish  legions  in  Italy !  We  want 
only  one  word  ! " 

"  But  in  order  to  get  that  word  one  must  have  an  opportunity." 

"  But  you  shall  have  it  sooner  than  you  expect !  Wybicki 
told  me  that  the  intrigues  of  the  Court  have  delivered  you  into 
Mme.  de  Vauban's  hands.  .  .  .  Therefore  she  will  facilitate 
your  access ;  you  have  only  to  yield.  The  Countess  sees  great 
advantages  for  herself  in  all  this,  and  she  will  not  spare  you 
her  instructions.  Bear  with  her  for  a  time  ;  she  has  experience. 
About  the  rest  Wybicki  will  tell  you." 

Małachowski  breathed  with  difficulty.     "  That  is  all !  " 

"  Yes,  that  is  all,"  repeated  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Pray  remember,  at  every  moment  of  your  life  you  have  in 
me  a  most  devoted  friend." 

"I  wish  to  be  alone,"  stammered  Pani  Walewska  with 
difficulty. 

Małachowski  shook  her  by  the  hand  and  went  out. 

Pani  Walewska  stood  for  a  while  motionless,  as  if  petrified. 
Suddenly  she  shivered,  a  cramp  seized  her  throat  and  stopped 
her  breath.  She  felt  that  she  was  choking,  and  makizig  a 
desperate  effort,  she  rushed  to  the  window,  opened  it,  and 
began  to  cool  her  heaving  bosom  with  a  stream  of  icy  air. 

Little  by  little  she  was  relieved ;  but  in  the  meanwhile  she 
felt  that  a  wild,  incomprehensible  mood  was  taking  hold  of  her. 
She  laughed  to  herself,  and  her  laughter  became  more  and 
more  excited  by  the  remembrance  of  Malachowski's  every 
word.     She  laughed  at  his  reasons  as  well  as  at  her  own  fears. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  on  the  courtyard  of  her  palace,  where 
numerous  servants  wearing  liveries  were  coming  and  going,  and 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  215 

she  laughed  at  the  thought  that  those  servants  perhaps  would 
put  on  green  uniforms  with  gold  lace ;  she  laughed  at  the  frost 
shining  on  the  window  panes,  at  the  steely  clouds  with  silvery- 
edges  produced  by  the  sun,  and  at  the  sparrows  bathing  in  the 
snow. 

The  Chamberlain's  hoarse  voice  interrupted  her. 

Pani  Walewska  listened  with  surprise  as  he  preached  about 
precautions  against  catching  cold.  She  was  surprised  that  her 
husband  ordered  a  servant  to  close  the  window  and  make  a  fire 
at  once. 

"You  are  very  imprudent!"  scolded  the  Chamberlain,  rub- 
bing his  hands.  "There  is  a  frost,  and  you  are  at  the  open 
window.     B-r-r-r !     How  cold  ! " 

"  Here } " 

"  I  shiver  all  over !  Pray  come  to  the  other  room.  What 
thoughtlessness  !  You  do  not  care  for  your  health  !  H'm  !  and 
what  about  Małachowski  ?    What  did  he  say  ?    He  cringes,  eh  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  smiled. 

"  He  bent !  I  was  sure  of  it !  It  was  hard  for  the  Speaker 
to  bend  his  neck  !  Ha  !  ha  !  And  how  effusive  he  was  to  me  ! 
Friend !  But  we  have  old  accounts.  Walewski  has  a  good 
memory.  He  knows  Iioav  to  explain  the  thing  to  the  Emperor. 
Why  do  you  laugh  ?  It  is  no  laughing  matter !  I  shall  not 
share  my  power  with  any  one  !  At  every  hour  I  expect  serious 
propositions  from  Talleyrand.   .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  louder.  The  Chamberlain  lifted 
himself  on  his  tiptoes  and  made  a  grimace. 

"  Pray  stop  that  laughter.  It  looks  as  if  you  did  not  care  for 
the  position  which  is  awaiting  us." 

"  Us  ? " 

"  H'm !  naturally,  us.  Well,  I  hope  you  have  also  noticed 
that  his  Majesty  likes  you  ?  I  cannot  blame  him  for  that.  We 
can  obtain  very,  very  much — if  you  are  intelligent." 

Pani  Walewska  became  suddenly  serious,  and  asked  :  "  Then 
you  give  your  consent .''" 

"  Consent  ?  There  is  no  question  about  consent !  The 
Emperor  would  like  to  win  rne,  tliat  is  evident.  He  wishes  to 
have  Walewski,  he  wishes  to  have  the  husband's  confidence ; 
tandem,  he  considers  Pani  Walev/ska  also.     He  thinks  that  as  a 


216  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

wife  she  has  influence.  Ergo,  our  diplomacy  should  be  com- 
pleted by  our  mutual  efforts.  We  both  listen,  and  we  both 
remember  not  to  be  put  off  with  trifles.  Before  all,  here  .  .  . 
you  understand .''  The  grand  riband !  Without  the  riband  I 
am  not  going  to  give  my  name  !  Why  are  you  looking  at  me 
so  strangely .''     Riband,  I  said  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  shrugged  her  shoulders. 

"  I  am  going  to  Mme.  de  Vauban  !  " 

That  sudden  turn  astonished  the  Chamberlain. 

"Now.?" 

"Yes." 

"Well  .  .  .  but  the  dinner?  We  have  the  Princess  and 
Ksawery  with  his  wife.  Probably  one  of  the  generals  will 
stay.  .  .  ." 

"  I  must  go !  " 

"Why  must  you.?"  protested  the  Chamberlain,  mincing  after 
his  wife,  who  went  to  a  mirror  and  began  hastily  to  put  her  hair 
in  order. 

"Then  I  said  that  you  were  not  well  .  .  .  and  should  they 
see  your  carriage !  Although  we  do  not  need  to  count  with 
everybody.   ..." 

"  It  is  indiff'erent  to  me  ;  I  must  go  to  Mme.  de  Vauban  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  looked  askance  at  his  wife,  but  being  struck 
by  the  decision  in  her  voice,  he  smiled  as  if  he  had  guessed. 

"  A  .  .  .  a !  that  is  different.  Go,  dearest.  Should  you  meet 
any  one  there,  perhaps  Prince  Bassano,  trust  him  more  than 
anybody  else.  Say  a  word  to  him !  It  Avill  come  easily  to 
you  ...  a  woman's  ambition,  that  her  husband  should  not  be 
neglected  !      You  know.  Legion  !     Wybicki  will  be  in  a  rage  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  got  rid  of  her  husband  with  a  few  words,  and 
rushed  to  the  vestibule. 

At  first  the  Chamberlain  was  displeased  at  his  wife's  indepen- 
dent will,  but,  after  a  little  thinking,  he  smiled  mysteriously  to 
himself,  and  went  to  the  drawing-room  to  do  the  honours  of  his 
house. 

Princess  Jabłonowska  attacked  him  at  once. 

"  How  is  Marie  }  .  .  What  ?  Małachowski !  What  has  he 
said  ?  .  .   ." 

"  Nothing  ! " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  Sll 

"  Nothing  ?  I  think  you  could  have  confidence  in  me. 
Davoust  came.  It  is  significant !  Marie  should  come  to  see 
him.  Davoust  is  going  to  command  the  new  army  corps. 
Davoust  is  an  important  man.  He  has  been  made  a  Prince  ! 
Even  Murat  is  afraid  of  him.  Imagine,  Mui-at !  I  have  heard 
that  from  M.  d'Hcdouville  !     Persuade  her  to  show  herself." 

"  Impossible.     She  is  not  at  home." 

"What.?    Is  it  possible  .?  " 

"She  was  obliged  to  go  to  Vauban.   ,  .  ." 

"  Obliged .''  "  repeated  the  Princess  in  a  strange  voice,  and,  not 
listening  to  her  brother's  further  explanations,  she  hastened  to 
the  sofa  on  which  Pani  Moszyńska  was  displaying  her  yellow 
dress. 

"  Is  she  still  suffering .''     How  sorry  I  am  !  " 

The  Princess  leaned  towards  her  friend  and  said  mysteri- 
ously :  "  Ma  chere !  you  know,  everything  for  you !  Were  it 
possible,  I  would  conduct  you  to  our  dear  Marie  !  but  ,  ,  ,  it  is 
useless ! " 

"You  said  useless,  dear  Princess.''" 

The  Princess  covered  her  mouth  with  a  fan. 

"  She  is  not  there !  .  .  .  She  was  obliged  .  .  ." 

"  O  .   ,  .  bliged  .''  "  stammered  out  Pani  Moszyńska. 

"...  To  Vauban !  Probably  to  consult  her  about  dresses. 
Vauban  has  taste  !     And  should  she  go  to  Paris  ..." 

Pani  Moszyńska  grew  crimson ;  her  lips  began  to  tremble 
nervously ;  her  eyes  threw  uneasy  glances  around  the  room. 

"  Now  you  know,  my  dearest !  " 

"  Naturally  !  Naturally  !  It  cannot  be  otherwise  !  I  must  be 
going  home  !  It  is  late  .  ,  .  very  late  .  .  .  permit,  dear  Prin- 
cess .  .  .  Marie  will  regret." 

"  Yes,  I  understand.     Permit  me  to  kiss  you." 

The  ladies  kissed  each  other  and  separated. 

The  Princess  sat  down  beside  Pani  Sobolewska,  Pani  Mos- 
zyńska stopped  to  exchange  a  few  words  with  Rautenstrauch. 
.  .  .  The  drawing-room  became  suddenly  animated  ;  it  was 
filled  up  with  whispers  ;  and  then  the  guests  began  suddenly  to 
leave  the  Chamberlain's  hospitable  mansion,  in  front  of  which 
then  resounded  orders  given  to  the  coachmen  :  "To  Blacha 
Palace  !  "  Pani  Moszyńska  gave  it  first ;  it  was  repeated  by  Pani 


S18  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Sobolewska,  Lubieńska,  and  Gutakowska,  and  rendered  with 
the  same  precision  by  Marshal  Davoust,  by  M.  de  Segur  and 
M.  Flahaut,  the  Prince  de  Berg's  favourite  aide-de-camp. 

The  Chamberlain  could  not  understand  why  all  his  guests 
went  away  so  quickly,  leaving  him  alone  with  Princess  Jabłon- 
owska, but  as  he  was  tired  he  was  glad  he  could  rest. 

Therefore,  having  taken  leave  of  his  last  guest,  he  threw 
himself  into  the  armchair,  took  snuff,  and  smiled  significantly  at 
his  sister. 

"  Well  .  .  .  you  have  seen  ?  Imagine  !  They  reckon  on  us  ! 
Hey!  You  say?  Nothing?  Now  we  must  think  over  and  talk 
over  ...  I  am  glad  you  are  staying ;  we  will  consult  each 
other.     Pray  be  seated.  .  .  ." 

The  Princess  looked  round  uneasily. 

"  Thank  you,  it  is  too  late  !  I  promised  to  call  on  Princess 
Radzivvil." 

"  H'm  !  but  just  now  w^e  have  a  moment  to  ourselves — there  is 
the  question  about  the  decisive  step.  We  have  everything  in 
our  favour ;  we  must  make  a  proposition." 

"  Yes,  yes ! "  said  the  Princess  negligently,  gathering  into 
a  bag  her  things  scattered  on  a  table. 

"  Only  the  first  words  must  not  be  pronounced  by  me  !  They 
ought  to  begin !  The  most  decent  thing  for  me  will  be  a 
riband  .  .  .  here  !  A  snuff-box — very  well,  I  say  nothing  against 
it — but  fii'st  of  all,  a  riband.  They  give,  I  thank  them ;  there 
is  some  exchange  of  words  and  congratulations,  declaration, 
conference.  .  .  .  Do  you  say  anything  ?  Nothing  !  By-the-by, 
the  treaty  must  remain  secret  for  a  certain  time.  I  give  a  ball. 
The  Emperor  comes ;  we  invite  the  most  noble  people.  The 
Emperor  has  a  long  talk  with  me — general  movement,  whispers, 
conjectui'ec  t  and  the  next  day  a  document,  publication,  instal- 
lation stante  .pedc  !    Did  you  speak  ?  " 

"No,  only  ..." 

"  It  cannot  be  otherwise.  It  must  be  done  decently  and  with 
form.  That  was  formerly  the  way  in  Paris  and  Vienna.  Colonna 
Walewski  agrees,  acce})ts  plans ;  but  Colonna  Walewski  is  not 
a  paltry  aide-de-camp,  a  soldier  v/ho  dreams  about  epaulettes, 
about  the  feathered  hat  of  a  general.  If  Colonna  Walewski 
needs  Napoleon,  then  Napoleon  needs  Colonna  Walewski.     And 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  219 

they  will  supplement  each  other — they  will  help  each  other. 
For  Colonna  Walewski  is  for  himself^  and  Napoleon  for  him- 
self!" 

'' Excuse  me,  Anastazy.  .  .  ." 

"  What !  what !     Do  you  think  otherwise  .'' " 

"Not  at  all,  only  the  Radziwils  are  waiting." 

"  Let  them  wait !     Soon  all  of  them  must  wait.  .  .  ." 

"  Naturally !  But  I  must  be  going  .  .  .  you  will  rest ;  you 
deserve  it.     You  are  tired,  and  I  must  be  going." 

"  But  you  cannot  go ;  you  must  receive  in  Mary's  absence- 
Should  any  one  come  .  .   ." 

"  I  assure  you  nobody  will  come.  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  grimace. 

"What,  nobody?  Why  not?  I  am  sure  that  Prince  Bor- 
ghese,  the  Emperor's  brother-in-law  .  .  .  only  it  is  not  an 
honour  at  all  for  Colonna  Walewski !  You  remember  how  the 
late  king  called  me  ?     'Wales/  simply  'Wales.'  " 

"  I  remember  very  well ;  but  I  must  be  going.  I  will  send 
a  footman  for  news.     I  am  sure  there  will  be  some  !  " 

Before  the  Chamberlain  could  protest  again,  his  sister  rushed 
to  the  vestibule,  put  on  her  fur  cloak  hastily,  and  hurried  to  the 
carriage  waiting  for  her.  The  Chamberlain  remained  alone  in 
his  armchair,  stunned  by  his  sister's  sudden  departure,  excited 
by  his  own  thoughts.  He  saw  himself  on  the  threshold  of  his 
dreams ;  the  power  which  he  had  desired  for  so  many  years  was 
at  last  coming  to  him — he  almost  felt  it  in  his  hands.  He  was 
very  ambitious ;  to  such  a  degree  that,  on  account  of  the  ambition, 
he  hid  his  plans  for  years — did  not  let  anybody  know  them.  He 
was  hurt  that,  notwithstanding  his  right,  he  got  nothing  except 
the  office  of  Chamberlain ;  that  at  the  former  Court  they  con- 
sidered him  only  as  an  elegant  courtier,  and  did  not  ask  him  to 
stand  with  others  at  the  head  of  the  Government. 

The  Chamberlain  half  closed  his  eyes.  These  bitter  reminis- 
cences were  smothered  by  the  brilliancy  of  to-morrow, 

Baptiste's  voice  interrupted  his  ambitious  dreams  of  rule. 
The  Chamberlain  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  What  ?  Dinner  ?  I  do  not  want  any  !  Cover  my  legs  ; 
a  cup  of  bouillon  !  " 

"  But  it  is  dark  here  1 " 


2S0  NAP0I.E0N'S  LOVE  STORY 

"  Then  why  do  they  not  light  up  ?  Do  it  at  once  !  All  the 
lights  ! " 

"  All  the  lights  ?  .  .  ." 

"  Yes,  I  said  all  the  lights !    Do  you  hear  me?    Immediately!" 

Baptiste  shnigged  his  shoulders,  and  said  negligently  :  "  Very 
well,  sir,  although  there  is  nobody  here." 

"They  are  all  to  be  lighted  !    Understand  ?    Cover  my  legs!" 

The  Chamberlain  grumbled  for  some  time  longer,  then  he  fell 
into  the  torpor  of  an  old,  used-up  man.  The  only  thing  that 
seemed  to  occupy  him  now  was  the  monotonous  tick-tack  of 
a  clock,  and  he  would  ask  every  little  while  about  the  time,  and 
then  he  would  say  in  a  feeble  voice  :  "  Has  her  ladyship  come 
back  .'' " 

Baptiste  would  then  go  out  to  the  vestibule  and  report 
indifferently  :  "  No,  sir,  she  has  not !  " 

After  such  an  answer  the  Chamberlain  sighed  and  listened 
again  to  the  tick-tack. 

About  midnight  he  grew  more  uneasy. 

"Baptiste,  has  her  ladyship  come  back  ?  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  they  are  waiting  with  supper." 

"Very  well,  but  .  .  .  she  must  have  come  back." 

"  I  inquired  a  little  while  ago.  I  oi'dered  them  to  let  me 
know  at  once." 

"  You  should  have  sent  to  the  Blacha  Palace." 

"I  did  send,  and  Px-incess  Jabłonowska  told  me  to  make 
you  easy.  ,  .  ." 

"  Very  well,  then !  If  the  Princess  ,  ,  .  Something  must 
have  happened !  For,  you  see,  some  important  changes 
are  prepared.  .  .  .  Her  ladyship  is  surrounded ;  they  wish 
to  win  me  through  her.  Rub  me  well  Avith  whisky !  I  am 
weak,  and  to-morrow  I  may  need  much  strength,  very  much 
strength.  .  .  ." 


CHAPTER  XI 

MADAME  DE  VAUBAN  was  very  much  surprised  when 
Pani  Walewska  was  announced  to  her,  but  guessing 
instinctively  some  important  change,  she  tried  to  forget  the 
unpleasant  separation  on  the  previous  day,  and  received  her 
with  all  heartiness. 

Pani  Walewska  was  surprised  and  abashed  by  her  cordiality. 
On  her  way  she  had  planned  how  to  ask  the  Countess's  forgive- 
ness for  her  unfriendliness,  and  to  justify  herself  by  an  unusual 
nervousness,  while  Madame  de  Vauban  purposely  avoided  all 
explanations,  and  conducted  the  conversation  in  such  a  manner 
as  if  between  herself  and  Pani  Walewska  there  were  no  cross 
words  whatever. 

"  I  am  infinitely  glad  you  came !  I  am  so  lonely.  You  are 
looking  beautiful !     Did  you  make  many  calls  to-day  ?  " 

"No,  I  was  not  disposed  to." 

"  I  believe  you,  for  it  is  tedious." 

"  Yes,  and  then,  after  yesterday  ..." 

"  You  felt  tired.  Chere  Marie  !  How  nice  of  you  to  remember 
me ! " 

"  I  deemed  it  necessary.  .  .  ." 

"  Let  me  kiss  you !  Good-hearted,  noble,  worthy,  always — 
always ! " 

"  You  abash  me.     On  the  contrary,  yesterday  .  .  ." 

"You  were,  as  always,  my  dear  friend,  for  whom  I  would 
sacrifice  everything." 

"  Permit  me  !  "  interrupted  Pani  Walewska,  feeling  that  she 
must  justify  herself.  "Yesterday  I  was  childish  and  thought- 
less, and  I  do  not  know  myself  whether  I  can  atone  for  the 
fault  I  committed." 

To  that  unexpected  turn  Madame  de  Vauban  did  not  know 

22J 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

what  to  answer.  She  was  afraid  of  Pani  Walewska's  excuses^ 
for  she  thought  that  they  would  lead  up  to  her  countrified  and 
antiquated  ideas  that  had  nothing  in  common  with  the  great 
world  in  which  the  Countess  moved,  when  suddenly  she  heard 
something  about  fault — almost  regret. 

^'Whatj  what,  my  dearest .''"  inquired  Madame  de  Vauban 
hesitatingly. 

Pani  Walewska  blushed,  dropped  her  head,  and  said  quietly : 
"It  was  a  childishness  on  my  part — momentary  irritation." 

Madame  de  Vauban  beamed.  She  drew  Pani  Walewska  to 
her,  and  began  to  kiss  her. 

"  0  cMrie  !  What  an  emotion  you  caused  me !  One  must 
love  and  admire  you !  I  am  wholly  yours.  I  did  not  wish  to 
let  you  know,  although  I  suffered.  To  wish  happiness  for  the 
beloved  person  and  to  see  that  she  pushes  it  away  wilfully,  is, 
you  will  agree,  dreadful.  For  if  you  would  listen  to  me,  if  you 
would  trust  me  ..." 

"  Pray  speak.   ..." 

Madame  de  Vauban  grew  confused.  That  simple  answer, 
declining  all  discussion,  for  which  Madame  de  Vauban  was  so 
well  prepared,  disturbed  all  her  devices. 

"  Well  .  .  .  that  is  to  say  .  .  .  you  know  .  .  .  the 
Emperor  ..." 

"  What  about  the  Emperor  ? " 

"  He  fancies  you  very  much." 

"  Then  what  more  ?  " 

"  More  ?  .  .  .  more  ?  He  will  be  very  happy  if  you  would 
grant  him  ..." 

"A  rendezvous  ?"  interrupted  Pani  Walewska  quickly. 

"Well,  there  is  nothing  bad  ,   .  ." 

"Naturally." 

"Then  .  .  .  then  .  .  .  you  would  consent  ? " 

"You  say  yourself  that  there  is  nothing  bad." 

The  Countess  turned  her  brown  eyes  inquisitively  on  Pani 
Walewska. 

"  Marie  !     There  is  something  the  matter  with  you." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed. 

"  Ah  !     Why  such  a  supposition  ?  " 

"  I  could  not  tell  you,  but  hearing  you  talk  like  that  .  .  t" 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  223 

"  Is  it  not  according  to  your  ideas  ?  " 

"  Entirely  ;  but  if  one  compares  it  with  your  former  .  .  ." 

"I  was  childish." 

"Then/'  said  Madame  de  Vauban  after  a  reflection,  trying  in 
vain  to  guess  the  cause  of  the  change  in  Pani  Walewska,  "  one 
might  make  Duroc  understand  that  in  case  .  .  ." 

''Yes,  one  may,"  said  Pani  Walewska  shortly.  The  Countess 
did  not  know  what  to  say.  The  mood  of  the  Chamberlain's 
wife,  although  it  corresponded  with  her  most  earnest  wishes, 
although  it  rejoiced  her,  troubled  her  and  also  aroused  a 
suspicion. 

Pani  Walewska  was  pulling  at  her  handkerchief. 

"  Did  you  send  me  that  .  .  .  that  .  .  .  Bolesha.''"  asked  she 
suddenly. 

The  Countess  rushed  from  her  seat. 

Now  she  guessed,  now  she  understood  the  cause  of  the 
change  in  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Yes,  I  did,  my  dearest !  I  know  how  much  you  care  for  him. 
I  knew  you  would  help  him  out  of  his  difficulties,  that  you  would 
not  lose  an  opportunity  !  He  deserves  it !  Everybody  speaks 
well  of  Chevalier  de  Gorayski.  I  suppose  that  you  were 
struggling  with  yourself,  but  he  deserves  that  struggle.  Your 
word  will  undoubtedly  carry  weight  with  the  Emperor." 

And  Madame  de  Vauban,  having  got  rid  of  all  doubts,  dis- 
played all  her  eloquence  in  order  to  strengthen  Pani  Walewska's 
determination. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  listened  to  her  argvmients,  trying  not 
either  to  contradict  her  or  to  acknowledge  that  she  was  right. 
Those  arguments,  however,  were  short,  because  of  guests  who 
began  to  arrive.  The  Countess,  guessing  that  she  must  im- 
mediately take  advantage  of  Pani  Walewska's  disposition, 
decided  to  act  at  once. 

"Marie,"  said  she  tenderly,  "I  must  go  to  the  drawing- 
room.     I  suppose  you  would  prefer  to  stay  here  ? " 

"  On  the  conti'ary,  1  will  go  with  you." 

"You  are  right.  I  admire  you — I  am  proud  of  you.  As  you 
have  already  decided,  better  not  torment  yourself  with  gloomy 
thoughts — better  to  advance  than  retreat." 

"  Certainly ! " 


224  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"Then^  should  there  be  an  opportunity  to-day  ? " 

Pani  Walewska  paled  slightly. 

"  You  say  an  opportunity  ?  " 

"  Permit  me,  dear  child !  The  Emperor  is  a  very  whimsical 
fellow.  As  it  seems,  he  is  extremely  busy.  Yesterday  he 
wanted  to  give  up  the  dinner.  Duroc  persuaded  him  with 
much  difficulty.  Therefore  one  does  not  know  whether  he  will 
have  time  to  receive  you.  At  any  rate,  do  not  bother  yourself 
— leave  that  to  me ;  I  will  arrange  everything.  I  tell  you  he 
is  an  odd  fellow.  You  must  be  very  careful  with  him.  He  has 
not  chivalrous  manners,  but  he  will  undoubtedly  acquire  them 
through  your  influence." 

In  the  drawing-room  a  swarm  of  guests  closely  surrounded 
Pani  Walewska,  complimenting  her  and  trying  to  win  her 
attention. 

Pani  Walewska  received  everything  coolly,  answering  the 
most  ardent  effusions  with  indifferent  smiles,  wondering  to  her- 
self whence  she  got  her  irony,  coolness,  and  composure. 

Her  indifferent  answers  not  only  did  not  cool  down  the 
curiosity  of  Madame  de  Vauban's  guests,  but  excited  it  to  a 
higher  degree,  for  that  assurance  and  that  indifference  were 
considered  as  the  best  proof  that  Pani  Walewska  had  reached 
those  heights  on  which  it  was  permitted  to  her  to  play  with 
M.  de  Segur's  bows.  Marshal  Davoust's  compliments,  and  all  the 
influence  of  Warsovian  society,  and  even  of  the  members  of  the 
temporary  Government. 

The  Princess  Jabłonowska  was  beaming  with  joy,  and  having 
caught  Madame  de  Vauban  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  she  said : 
"  Dear  Countess,  I  know  what  gratitude  we  owe  you  !  You  are 
a  magician  !  I  do  not  recognise  our  Marie  !  What  a  splendid 
pose  she  has  already  !  " 

Madame  de  Vauban  turned  her  eyes  gravely. 

"  Dear  Princess,  I  do  what  I  can — it  is  almost  too  much  for 
me." 

"  We  see  that  and  appreciate  it.     And  how  are  things .'' " 

"We  act!" 

"The  Prince  of  Friul?  ..." 

"  I  have  written  to  him  a  while  ago.  ..." 

The  Princess  moved  her  fan  energetically. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  225 

"  Extreme  gratitude  !  Lord  !  what  an  important  and  decisive 
moment !     Have  you  salts  near  at  hand  ?     I  am  fainting  ! " 

*'  Dear  Princess  !  .  .  ,  " 

"  And  she,  our  dear  Marie,  what  strength  of  character  ! " 

"And  it  is  thanks  to  the  sentiment  for  Gorayski." 

"How  poetical!  Truly,  I  admire  her  so  much,  I  did  not 
think  she  was  equal  to  such  a  sacrifice.  But  perhaps  it  would 
be  wise  to  see  Talleyrand  ?  .  .  .  He  can  facilitate  things ;  and 
then  it  is  necessary  to  let  him  know  that  it  was  not  done  with- 
out him.  ..." 

"  As  you  like,  although  the  question  is  about  the  Emperor's 
answer." 

"  Emperor's  ?     Dear  Countess  !     Empei-or's  ?  '* 

"  For  the  audience  might  take  place  to-day." 

"  To-day — to-day  }     Is  it  possible  ?  " 

"There  .  .  .  if  .  .  .  who  knows  .  .  .  perhaps  it  would  be 
well  to  tranquillise  the  Chamberlain.  It  is  late,  the  audience 
may  be  long.   ...  If  you  would  help  me  .   .   ." 

"  I  will  do  everything,  dear  Countess  !  There  is  no  sacrifice 
for  which  I  am  not  ready  for  Marie,  for  Anastazy,  for  our  family. 
I  assure  you  that  Anastazy  will  be  reasonable.  Dear  Marie  ! 
How  interesting  she  looks  to-day  !  A  .  .  .  a  .  .  .  Pan  Wybicki 
addresses  her  !     Wybicki  in  your  drawing-room  !  " 

The  Countess  made  a  movement  of  impatience,  and  put  her 
lorgnon  to  her  eyes. 

"  Yes,  it  is  he  !  I  neither  expected  nor  care  for  the  honour. 
I  do  not  understand,  and  I  am  even  afraid !  .  .  . " 

"  So  am  I.  I  am  sure  he  is  intriguing  !  He  already  cares  for 
her  influence." 

Madame  de  Vauban  smiled  contemptuously. 

"  He  shall  not  get  it  here !  Permit  me,  my  dear  Princess, 
I  must  inquire  if  there  is  an  answer." 

The  Countess  went  out  to  a  further  apartment,  while  the 
Princess,  not  satisfied  with  Madame  de  Vauban's  assurances, 
turned  to  the  spot  where  Pan  Joseph  Wybicki  was  conversing 
with  Pani  Walewska. 

"A  .      .  Pan  Wybicki!    I  am  very  glad!    Do  I  disturb  you.''" 

Wybicki  saluted  in  silence,  and  looked  beseechingly  on  Pani 
Walewska,  who  understood  the  look,  and  said  quietly  :  "  Px'incess, 
Q 


226  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

you  must  excuse  me,  but  Pan  Wybicki  was  my  late  father's 
friend ;  we  have  so  many  things  to  say  to  each  otherj  and  I  am 
afraid  it  would  not  interest  you.  .  .  ." 

The  Princess  shivered,  but  smiled. 

"  Ah,  it  is  very  interesting  !  You  do  not  doubt,  my  dear,  that 
every  detail  concerning  you  interests  me  ?  " 

"But  those  details  are  not  interesting  at  all." 

"Wicked  girl !"  answered  the  Princess,  quietly  seating  her- 
self beside  Pani  Walewska.  "  You  have  no  idea  how  I  feel  with 
you." 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  did  not  answer,  and  having  turned  to 
Wybicki,  said  Avith  emphasis  :  "  And  then,  we  have  nothing  else 
to  say  to  each  other.  Your  words  are  too  dear  to  me  for  me  to 
forget  them." 

Wybicki  rose. 

"  Not  only  my  gratitude  for  those  words  ..." 

The  Princess  smiled. 

"  Pan  Wybicki,  if  I  did  not  know  you  I  should  think  that  you 
were  very  sentimental." 

"  And  perhaps  you  would  be  not  far  from  the  truth,  Princess. 
I  have  the  honour  .  .  ." 

He  bowed,  and  went  to  another  part  of  the  room, 

"What  an  odd,  unbearable  fellow  !"  said  the  Princess,  when 
Wybicki  left  them.  "  What  manners,  what  a  pose  of  a  Secretary 
of  State  !     Truly,  I  cannot  understand  the  Emperor." 

Pani  Walewska  was  silent.  The  Princess  looked  at  her 
askance,  and  said  intentionally  :  "  An  intriguer  in  the  first  place. 
A  cunning  and  clever  intriguer,  who  knows  how  to  play  on 
most  tender  chords  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  answer  this  time  either.  The 
Princess  grew  impatient. 

"  Enjin,  my  dearest,  I  am  sure  that  Wybicki  tried  to  persuade 
you  to  take  part  in  some  great  schemes  which  would  promote 
his  own  interest." 

"What  gives  you  such  an  opinion?" 

"  Ah,  chcre,  for  I  know  the  people  !  Could  you  deny  it .''  Such 
men  you  should  avoid,  they  will  only  entangle  3'ou  in  an 
intrigue." 

"  You  are  very  severe  on  Wybicki." 


NAPOLEONS   LOVE   STORY  227 

"  Not  at  all,  but  I  care  for  you  !  You  should  think  of  yourself, 
of  your  family  ;  you  know  how  we  are  all  devoted  to  you — we 
all^  -srithout  exception,  love  you.   .   .   ." 

"  I  never  doubted  that.  I  have  had  so  many  pi-oofs  of  their 
kindness." 

''Marie,  I  take  your  words  literally.  Let  us  talk  frankly. 
You  must  not  mind  the  first  difficulties.  You  entered  our  family 
unexpectedly.  Of  course,  it  is  Anastazy's  fault.  He  did  not 
prepare  the  ground,  and  introduced  you  all  at  once.  Therefore 
we  were  cool,  and  avoided  you ;  but  it  was  enough  for  you  to 
appear.  You  spoke,  and  our  prejudices  disappeared  and  changed 
into  most  hearty  sentiments.  Take  Anthony,  for  instance.  He 
is  very  promising,  not  because  he  is  my  son,  mais  vraiment  he  is 
a  yovmg  man  with  manners  and  style  !  He  only  saw  you  once, 
and  he  asks  continually  about  cette  chere  tante  I  He  simply 
makes  me  jealous.  He  wishes  very  much  to  join  the  Imperial 
general  staff.  He  is  only  seventeen,  but  on  the  staff  he  could 
...  it  is  an  honoui'able  position,  he  could  make  a  career.  .  .  . 
Therefore,  should  you  have  an  opportimity,  push  him  a  little. 
He  deserves  it — he  is  a  good  boy." 

The  Princess  stopped,  expecting  a  solemn  assurance. 

Pani  Walewska  played  indifferently  with  her  fan. 

"  But  perhaps  I  bore  you  ?  " 

"Ah,  not  at  all — I  was  thinking  of  something  else." 

Princess  Jablonowska's  face  grew  blue. 

'•'  Excuse  me  for  having  troubled  you  ...  I  did  not  imagine  .  .  . 
I  am  very  much  obliged  for  your  sincerity.  I  will  not  venture  to 
interrupt  your  thoughts.  You  are  verj-  fashionable  .  :  .  I 
admire  you,  although  I  do  not  predict  a  success.   ..." 

Here  the  Princess  rose,  and,  with  the  consciousness  of  offended 
dignity,  rushed  to  Madame  de  Vauban,  who  noticed  the 
Princess's  irritation. 

'•'You  have  something  to  tell  me,  dear  friend?" 

"Yes  .  .  .  but  not  here.   .   .   ." 

Madame  de  Vauban  conducted  the  Princess  to  a  side  boudoir. 

"  You  are  excited." 

"  Have  you  salts  ?  I  can  hardly  breathe.  It  is  awful — it  is 
unbearable  I     One  cannot  allow  that  !  " 

'•  But  what  is  it .'  " 


228  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Well,  I  tell  you.    All  our  efforts,  trouble,  sacrifices,  are  lost 
She  is  simply  breaking  loose  !     A  little  while  ago  she  answered 
me  in  such  a  manner  that  all  hopes  to  find  her  at  least  ...  a 
well-wishing  person,  are  gone.     She  is  cold,  selfish  ! " 

^'But,  Princess  ..." 

"  Yes,  yes,  my  dear  !  A  word  from  her  was  enough  for  me  ! 
I  am  convinced  that  there  is  no  hope!  She  is  my  sister-in-law, 
but  a  ttiesa'licDwe  remains  a  mćsallimwe  !  Anastazy  made  an  un- 
pardonable blunder.  I  explained  to  her — I  used  my  best 
endeavours  ;  every  one  of  my  words  breathed  attachment  to  her, 
and  she  answered  me  :  '  I  was  thinking  of  something  else.' 
C' est  inexplicable,  incroi/oble  !" 

"What  then?"  asked  Madame  de  Vauban  coolly. 

"  I  do  not  agree — I  oppose  !  Either  let  her  humiliate  herself 
before  me,  or  let  her  return  where  she  came  from !  I  wash  my 
hands — even  I  am  going  at  once  to  M.  de  Perigord  !  One  must 
find  something  else  !  " 

"  I  do  not  believe  it  is  such  an  easy  matter.  The  Emperor  is 
very  busy." 

"  One  can  act  upon  him." 

"I  doubt  it!  " 

"  Even  if  so,  I  withdraw — I  do  not  give  my  permission." 

Madame  de  Vauban  smiled  indulgently. 

"  Dear  Princess,  I  am  afraid  it  is  too  late  for  retreat." 

"  Do  you  wish  to  say  that  j'ou  alone  will  persevere  ?  .  .  ." 

"I  do  not  see  any  other  alternative." 

"  I  am  very  much  surprised,  for  if  you  expect  any  gratitude 
you  will  be  disappointed.  I  have  only  come  to  know  her  to-day ! 
She  played  a  pai-t  till  she  felt  sti'ong  enough.  .  .  .  Unfortunately, 
she  betrayed  herself  too  early.  ..." 

"  I  do  not  defend  her  at  all !  "  answered  Madame  de  Vauban 
quietly.  "  I  was  neither  attracted  by  gratitude,  nor  am  I  dis- 
couraged by  lack  of  it.     I  amuse  myself.  . 

"  And  if  I  begged  of  you  ?  " 

"  Truly,  I  could  not  answer.     Excuse  me  !     A  letter  I " 

The  Princess  tightened  her  lips. 

Madame  de  Vauban  was  slowly  tearing  the  envelope  of  a 
letter  lianded  to  her  by  a  lackey. 

"  Waiting  for  an  answer." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  229 

The  Countess  glanced  at  the  note. 

"No  answer.     Say  it  is  w^ell." 

The  lackey  disappeared  behind  a  curtain. 

"Then,  coming  back  to  our  subject,"  said  the  Princess 
gravely,  "  can  I  count  on  you  ?  " 

Madame  de  Vauban  smiled  enigmatically,  and  handed  to  the 
Princess  the  note  just  received,  which  contained  the  following 
laconic  words  :  "To-night  at  ten  o'clock;  C.  is  informed." 

The  Princess  looked  puzzled  at  the  Countess. 

"I  do  not  understand  .  .   .  some  secret." 

"Ah,  there  is  no  more  secret  now  .  .  .  the  matter  is 
decided !     It  is  the  answer  for  which  I  was  waiting." 

"For  her.!*     For  that.^"  asked  the  Princess  nervously. 

"From  Duroc." 

"  From  Duroc  ?  '  To-night  at  ten  o'clock.  C.  is  informed.' 
Who  is  informed  ?  " 

"  You  are  not  quick !  Constant !  The  Emperor's  faithful 
valet." 

"  Constant !  Constant  informed !  It  is  too  much  for  me  ! 
Permit  me  to  rest !  Have  you  the  salts .''  Rub  my  temples  ! 
Constant !  Oh  !  how  moved  I  am  !  I  am  fainting !  Yes,  yes, 
that  way,  rub  well !     I  shall  soon  be  familiar  with  the  thought." 

The  Countess  hastened  to  her  friend's  help,  and  evidently 
not  believing  in  the  efficacy  of  the  salts,  she  had  recourse  to 
persuasion. 

"  It  is  done  !  Fate  disposed  it  so  !  I  did  not  expect,  myself, 
such  rapid  progress  !  But  I  do  not  think  it  will  last !  I  doubt 
if  she  will  be  able  to  keep  up  the  sentiment.' 

" Speak,  speak  !  "  whisjiered  the  Princess.  "It  relieves ^it 
gives  strength." 

"  Marie  lacks  instinct.  Then  she  is  too  much  a  country  gii-1. 
I  am  ready  to  lay  any  wager  that  in  a  month's  time  the  idyll 
will  be  over.     It  is  not  Napoleon's  habit  to  be  sentimental." 

"  Speak,  speak,  my  dear  !  " 

"What  should  I  say.-*  In  the  meanwhile,  she  is  at  the  top. 
You  are  too  late.  Princess,  you  cannot  stop  that  which  is 
done.   .  .   ." 

The  Countess  could  not  finish,  for  the  Princess's  two  arms 
encircled  her. 


230  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  My  dear,  my  only  friend !  You  are  speaking  the  truth ! 
It  is  my  duty  to  sacrifice  myself.  I  must  be  with  her,  and 
watch  over  her,  for  if  I  .   ,  ." 

"But  a  little  while  ago  .  .   ."  rejoined  the  Countess. 

"I  did  not  think  .  .  .  'To-night  at  ten  o'clock.  C.  is  in- 
formed ' — it  is  incredible  !     Excuse  me,  my  dear,  I  must  .  .  ." 

"Where  to.>" 

"I  must  ..." 

The  Princess,  having  taken  hold  of  the  train  of  her  long 
dress,  went  into  the  drawing-room. 

Pani  Walewska  was  just  listening  to  Rautenstrauch's  com- 
monplace witticisms,  when  she  was  suddenly  covered  with  the 
Princess's  kisses. 

"  Dear  child  !  You  could  not  believe  !  Look  at  my  emotion  ! 
I  cannot  dominate  it !     All  that  concerns  you  ..." 

"But,  Princess  .  .   . ! " 

"  Nothing,  nothing,  my  dearest !  I  needed  to  kiss  you — at 
such  a  moment ! " 

Rautenstrauch  smiled. 

"  It  seems  strange  to  you  }  But  the  most  elegant  drawing- 
room  ceases  to  be  formal  where  the  family  hearth  begins.  .  .  ." 

"I  did  not  dare  to  doubt  it." 

"  Do  not  defend  yourself !  I  know  your  ways  !  I  have  tears 
in  my  eyes,  I  have.  .  .  .  For  .  .  .  for  at  sight  of  Marie  I  forget 
even  about  convenances.     Excuse  me  .  .  . !  " 

Rautenstrauch  withdrew  discreetly. 

The  Princess  had  a  new  outburst  of  tenderness. 

"  Do  you  see,  my  dear  !  I  am  always  Avith  you  .  .  .  always ! 
You  do  not  imagine  how  much  trouble,  how  many  obstacles  I 
have  conquered,  and  all  in  the  name  of  my  love  for  3'ou  !  I  have 
no  daughter !  I  love  you  as  if  you  were  my  child !  Dear 
child ! " 

"The  Countess  has  the  honour  of  asking  Madame  la  Cham- 
hellane  for  a  moment  of  conversation,"  resounded  the  monotonous 
voice  of  Madame  de  Vaiiban's  valet. 

The  Princess  grew  pale,  and  said  to  the  man — 

"  Very  well — in  a  minute.   .   .  ." 

"  But,  Madame  la  Comtesse      .  ." 

"  You  can  go.  ..." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  231 

"But,  Princess,  permit  me,"  said  Pani  Walewska. 

"  I  know  what  she  wishes  to  tell  you." 

"  But  even  if  that  is  the  case  .  .  ." 

"  Well,  then,  the  answer  has  come  !  All  is  settled  !  To-night 
at  ten  o'clock.  '  Constant  is  informed  ! '  Understand  .''  Beware 
of  her !  She  wishes  to  entangle  you  for  her  plans.  Slie  has 
been  inti'iguing  all  her  life.  I  first  brought  you  the  final  news. 
I — I  cannot  speak !  Let  me  kiss  you  once  more.  Do  not 
mind  my  constant  warnings,  but  it  is  my  duty  to  protect  you. 
Constant  is  informed,  and  when  he  is  informed,  then  .  .  .  the 
Emperor !  If  you  wish,  I  will  go  to  Constant.  I  will  talk 
about  you.  " 

*'To  .  .   .  a  valet.?" 

"  Dear  child  !  And  Ryx  !  Our  late  king's  valet— he  was  a 
Knight  of  the  Order ;  everybody  was  obliged  to  reckon  with 
him.     I  answer  for  Constant." 

Pani  Walewska  has  only  now  understood  the  whole  truth. 
Her  eyes  filled  with  tears. 

" Then  you  say,  that  to-day  .  .  .?" 

"  Yes,  yes,  Marie  !  To  day,  for  certain.  Constant  is  informed. 
Then,  if  you  have  an  opportunity  to  mention — although  it  would 
be  the  best  to  think  what  you  are  going  to  ask  for.  ..." 

"  What  ?  " 

The  Princess  dropped  her  eyes. 

"  For  ...  do  you  see  ...  I  do  not  know  if  I  shall  be  able 
to  explain  it  to  you.  .  .  ,  All  men  are  alike.  At  the  first 
moment  they  are  ready  to  do  anything  .  .  .  and  then  they 
cool  down.  Therefore,  if  you  do  not  gain  at  once,  perhaps  you 
will  never  get  it." 

"  It  is  true,"  answered  Pani  Walewska  pensively. 

"  You  must  think  it  over  !  For  Anastazy  a  seat  in  the  senate 
and  the  grand  riband.   ,  ,   ." 

Pani  Walewska  shivered. 

"  Then,  one  could  get  some  office  for  Ksawery  .  ,  .  provided 
it  is  well  paid  .  .  .  for  you  know  .  .  .  many  children.  .  .  .  The 
elder  ones  wish  to  enter  the  army — there  will  be  no  difficulty 
about  that — two  colonels  more  or  less  .  .  ." 

"  And  you.  Princess  ?  " 

''I.''"  answered  the  Princess  modestly, hearing  the  irony  in 


232  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

the  question — "  I  ?  Nothing  !  I  cai-e  for  my  son.  ...  I  tliink  I 
mentioned  to  you  that  two  of  our  estates  were  confiscated  by 
tlie  Prussians  !  It  would  be  only  right  that  they  should  be  re- 
turned to  us  !  Nothing  else  !  Provided  I  am  with  you,  except 
that  in  case  of  an  opportunity,  I  should  like  to  become  a  lady- 
in-waiting.  .   .   ." 

"  What  more  ? " 

"  Marie,  you  are  talking  as  if  you  doubted  my  disinterested- 
ness. ..." 

"  On  the  contrary — I  am  sure  of  it !  " 

After  this  conversation,  interrupted  again  by  Madame  de 
Vauban's  valet,  Pani  Walewska  was  obliged  to  listen  to  the 
Countess's  confidences,  which,  although  different  in  form,  were 
not  different  in  substance  from  those  of  the  Princess. 

Here  also  Pani  Walewska  was  obliged  to  listen  to  exclama- 
tions, promises,  beseechings,  sighings,  preachings  about  gratitude, 
till  she  so,tired  out  the  Countess  by  her  passiveness,  that  Madame 
de  Vauban  changed  the  subject  and  passed  to  advice. 

"  You  must  arm  yourself,  dear  child,  with  presence  of  mind ! 
Answer  him  quickly — have  ten  words  for  each  of  his.  Re- 
member about  sentiment.  I  am  sure  he  will  like  it '  Naturally 
you  will  emphasise  the  fact  that  you  respect  the  purple,  that 
you  are  dazzled  by  the  hei'o's  fame  ;  but  your  sentiment  begins 
at  the  point  where  he  is  without  a  crown  !  Permit  me  to  give 
you  a  little  speech.  When,  as  is  very  probable,  he  reproaches  you 
for  your  coolness,  you  will  half  close  your  eyes,  you  will  give  to 
your  voice  a  slight  timid  vibration,  and  you  will  say :  '  Your 
Majesty,  Sire,  stops  my  heart  throbbing ! '  and  then  you  will 
add,  in  order  to  accentuate  it :  '  For  it  is  frightened,  it  is  dazzled, 
for  it  wishes  to  see  you  in  the  uniform  of  a  soldier,  for  it  is 
afraid  of  the  summit  rising  above  the  clouds,  for  it  throbbed 
not  for  the  Emperor  .  .  .'  Here  you  will  sigh  slightly,  and 
will  cover  your  face  with  your  hands." 

The  lesson,  thus  conducted,  lasted  till  evening.  Pani  Waelw- 
ska  sat  silently,  not  protesting,  not  uiterrupting,  not  asking  for 
anything. 

From  time  to  time  Pani  Walewska's  eyes  grew  animated ; 
they  burned  with  some  mysterious  fire,  and  seemed  to  penetrate 
the  Countess,  who,  notwithstanding  her  naturally  cool  blood. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  233 

grew  confused  under  that  magnetic  glance.  Sometimes  Pani 
Walewska' s  passiveness  aroused  in  the  Countess  doubts  and  sus- 
picions ;  then  she  was  bolder^  she  would  go  to  the  extreme  of 
conjectures  and  insinuations^  hoping  to  arouse  a  protest,  an 
opposition — but  all  in  vain. 

Pani  Walewska  remained  cool,  immovable. 

Night  came — a  cold,  damp,  penetrating  night.  The  drawing- 
rooms  in  the  Blacha  Palace  became  empty.  Madame  de 
Vauban's  guests,  not  being  able  to  see  Pani  Walewska,  who  re- 
mained apart,  went  out,  carrying  throughout  the  town  quantities 
of  rumours,  spun  out  from  the  Countess's  few  words  and  the 
Princess's  insinuations. 

In  one  of  Madame  de  Vauban's  boudoirs  Princess  Jabłon- 
owska and  Fryne  Czosnowska  were  waiting  for  the  ending 
of  the  Countess's  conversation  with  Pani  Walewska.  Fryne 
tried  to  entertain  the  Princess  and  to  lessen  her  impatience, 
but  it  increased  in  geometrical  proportion  to  the  progress  of 
the  hands  of  the  clock. 

The  clock  struck  nine.     The  Princess  rushed  from  the  sofa. 

"  It  is  impossible  !  The  Countess  does  not  think  of  conse- 
quences.    It  is  time.  ..." 

"  I  assure  you,  Princess,  that  Vauban  is  never  too  late." 

'^It  may  be  .  .  ;  but  I  also  have  to  say  something  to 
Marie.   .  .   ." 

"What  I  would  not  give  if  I  were  in  her  place  !      .  ." 

"  No,  I  cannot  wait  any  longer !  She  must  have  forgotten 
the  time." 

"Oh,  Vauban!  Vauban  will  not  forget  it,"  said  Fryne  with 
conviction. 

As  if  to  prove  that  she  was  right,  the  Countess  appeared  at 
a  side  door. 

The  Princess  rushed  to  her. 

"  My  dearest !     Nine  o'clock  !     It  is  time  !  .  .  ,  " 

"  But  it  is  only  a  few  steps  from  here." 

"  And  what  of  Marie  }  " 

The  Countess  sighed  slightly. 

"I  did  all  I  could!" 

"And?  .  .  ." 

"It  seems  that  all  is  right — only  !  .  .  ." 


234  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Only  what  ?  "  inquired  the  Princess  impetuously. 

"  She  is  so  apathetic  that  I  feel  uneasy." 

"  Permit  me^  my  dearest^  I  must  know.   .   .  ." 

"  Her  quick  decision,  her  determination,  confirms  my  suspicion 
that  the  sentiment  for  Gorayski  reaches  a  point  where  it  may 
be  dangerous.  .  .  ." 

"  Dangerous  ! " 

"  Very !  To-day  she  decided  for  his  sake,  and  I  do  not  doubt 
that  she  will  talk  only  about  him." 

"  But  in  that  case  our  little  plot  may  come  out.   .   .  ." 

"Well,  not  at  once ;  I  was  so  careful,  that  the  Emperor 
knows  about  some  debauch ;  therefore  he  will  not  be  surprised 
at  a  request." 

"  Then  what  do  you  think  ?  " 

"  The  game  is  begun ;  we  shall  see  afterwards." 

"  My  dearest,  dearest  Henriettę  !  There  is  no  sacrifice  which 
I  would  not  be  ready  to  make  for  you  ! " 

The  ladies  sealed  this  with  hearty  kisses,  and  busied  them- 
selves with  last  preparations  ;  Avhile  the  Princess  took  on  her- 
self the  trouble  of  final  advices  which  might  be  useful  to  Pani 
Walewska,  the  Countess  pushed  forward  energetically  the  last 
attacks  on  the  Castle. 

About  twenty  minutes  before  ten  o'clock  a  carriage  stopped 
at  the  portico  of  the  Blacha  Palace.  From  its  box  a  footman, 
wearing  Madame  de  Vauban's  livery,  jumped  down  and  rushed 
directly  to  the  vestibule,  where  he  asked  to  be  announced  to 
the  Countess. 

The  servants  of  the  palace  were  astonished  at  the  daring  of 
their  fellow-servant.  The  hesitation,  however,  was  interrupted 
by  Madame  de  Vauban's  valet. 

The  arrival  of  the  carriage  was  echoed  in  the  Countess's 
boudoir,  made  Princess  Jabłonowska  nervous,  and  reddened 
Fryne  Czosnowska's  cheeks  still  more. 

Madame  de  Vauban  came  to  Pani  Walewska,  who  was  sitting 
in  a  deep  armchair,  touched  her  shoulder  lightly,  and  said, 
"  Marie,  it  is  time  !  " 

"Time.^" 

"  Yes,  dearest ;  the  carriage  is  waiting !  W^e  must  be 
going ' " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  235 

Pani  Walewska  moved  her  head  in  sign  of  consent. 

The  Countess  made  a  sign  to  Fryne,  who  began  to  wrap  up 
Pani  Walewska  in  a  large,  costly  fur. 

Pani  Walewska  abandoned  herself  passively  to  Czosnowska ; 
did  not  try  to  find  out  why  Fryne  hugged  her  so  passionately, 
whispering  from  time  to  time,  "Ah  !  how  happy  you  must  be!" 
The  Chamberlain's  wife  was  not  surprised  either  at  the  Princess's 
effusion,  nor  at  the  tenderness  showered  on  her  by  Madame 
de  Vauban.  She  heard  and  understood  well  the  admonition 
about  prudence  and  about  the  necessity  of  concentrating  her 
presence  of  mind,  and  the  pious  aspirations  for  success,  and 
various  scales  of  sentiments  played  ostentatiously  by  all  three 
ladies. 

Pani  Walewska,  although  seeming  to  share  with  her  tutors 
their  fears  and  hopes,  was  quiet  and  cold  Avithin.  All  that  was 
happening  to  her  and  round  her  seemed  to  her  perfectly 
natural,  right,  and  logical.  Had  she  not  almost  agreed  to 
intercede  for  Gorayski  ?  Had  she  not  promised  Małachowski? 
Had  she  not  engaged  her  word  to  Wybicki  ?  Had  they  not 
asked  her  to  keep  the  secret,  to  bear  the  sole  burden  in 
public  opinion,  not  to  protest  if  she  were  accused  of  petty  cal- 
culations and  paltry  plans,  so  that  nobody  should  even  suspect 
how  weighty  was  her  mission  on  their  first  interview  with  the 
Emperor  ? 

With  that  consciousness  of  her  important  mission  her  bosom 
heaved,  her  heart  throbbed  noisily  and  made  her  stretch  herself 
proudly  ;  it  blossomed  into  a  contemptuous  smile  on  her  lips ; 
it  covered  every  one  of  her  words  with  assurance. 

In  the  name  of  the  most  sacred  sentiments,  in  the  name 
of  the  most  solemn  adjuration,  they  asked  her  to  sacrifice  her- 
self, to  become  to  her  country  another  Judith !  And  so  she 
Mould  be.  She  desired  to  meet  him  as  soon  as  possible — to 
throw  at  his  feet  those  weighty  words,  to  dictate  conditions 
to  him,  and  then  .  .  .  then  to  dehght  in  the  joy  of  others, 
to  live  by  the  memory  of  the  accomplished  deed,  and  to  carry 
her  own  sorrow  and  pain  beyond  the  woi'ld.   .  .  . 

Pani  Walewska  was  seized  by  a  nervous  trembling.  She  was 
irritated  at  Madame  de  Vauban  being  slow. 

"  Let  us  be  going  ! " 


236  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  In  a  minute,  my  dearest !     Only  one  tuniqiie.  .  .   ." 

"  You  are  dressing  as  if  for  a  Court  reception/'  said  Pani 
Walewska  angrily. 

"  I  must — at  all  events." 

Once  in  the  carriage.  Pani  Walewska  became  quieter. 

The  Countess,  who  with  entire  self-denial  was  fulfilling  the 
duties  of  a  chaperon,  wished  to  utilise  even  those  last  moments 
in  giving  her  pupil  some  illuminating  advice;  but  Pani  Walewska 
interrupted  her  :  "  Permit  me  to  collect  my  thoughts  ! " 

"  I  thought  I  could  help  you  .   .  .  before  all  .  .  ." 

"  I  know  what  I  have  to  do  !  " 

"  My  dearest !     What  ?     We  are  in  the  Castle  !  " 

The  carriage  produced  a  hollow  sound — rolled  several  yards 
further  in  the  courtyard  of  the  Castle,  and  stopped  at  the 
second  gate. 

The  door  opened  noisily.  .  Pani  Walewska  found  herself 
before  a  dimly-lighted  hall,  iii  front  of  which  stood  a  broad- 
shouldered  grenadier. 

Pani  Walewska  went  mechanically  towards  the  hall,  but  the 
grenadier  looked  at  her,  and  said  sharply:  "Who?     Where.''" 

Pani  Walewska  became  confused,  not  knowing  what  to 
answer ;  but  at  the  same  time  the  footman  began  to  talk  in 
a  low  voice  with  the  grenadier,  Avhile  Madame  de  Vauban,  who 
alighted  after  Pani  Walewska,  deemed  it  proper  to  explain 
to  her  that  unexpected  obstacle. 

"  They  do  not  know  yet !  Cover  your  face  with  a  veil ! 
Naturally,  it  will  be  changed  later  on.  .  .  Court  rigour,  and 
Duroc's  inexperience  too.  At  the  Court  of  the  Louis,  a  Marshal 
would  be  dismissed  for  such  impropriety.  And  then,  they 
are  only  camping  here  ;  they  have  not  had  time.  .  .  .  One 
must  be  lenient !  " 

"I  do  not  know  about  anything!"  sounded  the  grenadier's 
voice,  talking  with  the  footman.  "  It  is  past  ten ;  I  have  no 
order !  You  must  see  the  captain  on  duty,  there  to  the  left, 
in  the  corner,  in  thai  window,  wlierc  the  light  is." 

The  footman  rushed  in  the  said  direction,  while  the  grenadier 
muttered  :  "  Constant !  Constant  has  no  right  to  give  me  any 
orders !  Sacrebleu  !  Nine  o'clock,  lights  out,  and  even  a  battalion 
of  Constants  cannot  pass  !  .   .   .   Ladies  to  M.  Constant !  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  237 

"  My  friend,"  said  Madame  de  Vauban,  with  a  conciliatory 
accent,  ''you  do  not  need  to  be  in  a  bad  temper.  .  .  ." 

The  grenadier  rapped  the  ground  impatiently  with  his  rifle. 

"  In  the  first  place,  not  a  friend,  but  a  sergeant  of  the  second 
company  of  grenadiers.  Then,  the  i"oad  to  M.  Constant  is  open 
during  the  day.  I  advise  you  to  get  into  the  coach  and  go 
back." 

"It  is  not  your  concern." 

"  Mine  or  not,  you  cannot  see  Constant.  The  Little  Corporal 
does  not  think  of  going  to  bed  yet ;  Constant  cannot  leave  him 
for  one  moment !    You  have  no  idea  !  " 

"What  an  amusing  man!"  said  the  Countess,  with  well- 
acted  ease. 

"  Better  not  make  any  remarks !  The  captain  is  coming. 
.  .  .  You  will  have  an  answer." 

At  the  further  end  of  the  courtyard  measured  sounds  of  spurs 
were  heard.     Pani  Walewska  was  seized  by  nervous  trembling. 

"Let  us  return,"  she  whispered. 

"  Child  !     What  an  idea  !  " 

"Let  us  return,"  insisted  Pani  Walevvska.  "I  cannot  stay 
here  one  minute  longer." 

The  Countess  took  hold  of  her  arm. 

"  Marie,  think  !    Impossible  !  " 

"  Let  me  go  home." 

"  What  nonsense  !  Only  think — he  is  waiting  !  Courage  ! 
The  officer  !     Cover  your  face  !  " 

Pani  Walew^ska  pushed  ajic/iu  over  her  eyes. 

"  You  will  be  so  kind  as  to  follow  me,"  said  the  officer 
brought  by  the  footman,  and  went  to  the  further  end  of  the 
courtyard. 

The  Countess  pressed  Pani  Walewska's  arm  and  pulled  her 
along. 

The  officer  walked  swiftly,  exchanging  short  woi'ds  v/ith 
sentries,  and  directed  his  steps  towards  a  dark  corridor.  From 
this  he  conducted  them  to  the  first  floor,  and  showed  them  into 
a  large  vaulted  room,  in  which  two  other  officers  were  shorten- 
ing their  time  on  duty  by  plajdng  cards. 

The  officers,  seeing  their  comrade  and  two  ladies,  rushed 
from  behind  the  table. 


238  NAPOT.EON^S  LOVE   STORY 

''Captain  to  the  deuce!"  began  joyfully  the  young  officer. 
"  You  are  a  magician,  that  you  .  .  ." 

The  captain  interrupted  him  by  an  energetic  gesture  of  the 
hand,  and  said :  "  Lieutenant  Rousseau,  you  will  conduct  these 
two  ladies  to  the  commissary  on  duty,  and  will  tell  him  that 
they  wish  to  see  Constant  on  business." 

The  lieutenant  stretched  himself  up,  tightened  his  shoulder- 
belt,  and  having  bowed  to  the  ladies,  went  to  the  door,  while 
the  captain  said  to  Madame  de  Vauban  :  "  Pi'ay,  follow  the 
lieutenant." 

"We  thank  you  very  much,"  answered  she  with  dignity. 

The  captain  smiled  ironically. 

"  Oh,  not  at  all  !     The  lieutenant  is  waiting." 

Madame  de  Vauban  2:)ressed  Pani  Walewska's  arm  significantly, 
and  they  followed  the  officer  through  a  labyrinth  of  dimly- 
lighted  corridors  and  half-empty  rooms. 

Rousseau  conducted  them  swiftly,  and  then  stopped  at  the 
door  guarded  by  two  grenadiers  of  the  Guard.  The  lieutenant 
pressed  the  handle  and  introduced  the  ladies  to  a  large  room, 
in  which  a  broad-shouldered  man,  wearing  a  green  swallow-tail 
coat  with  gold  lace,  was  sitting  at  the  door. 

Rousseau  whispered  a  few  words  to  the  commissary,  who  rose 
quickly  from  the  armchair,  glanced  sharply  at  the  ladies,  and 
said  to  the  lieutenant :  "  Excuse  me,  sir,  I  know  about  one,  and 
here  are  two ! " 

Rousseau  smiled  ironically.     The  commissary  frowned. 

"M.  Rousseau  .   .  .  good-bye." 

The  lieutenant,  recalled  by  this  farewell  to  his  duty,  left  the 
room.     The  commissary  pointed  out  the  chairs  to  the  ladies. 

"  Pray  be  seated  ;  we  will  see  !  " 

Then  he  rang  the  bell,  and  having  given  some  order  to 
a  lackey  who  came,  sat  doAvn  in  the  armchair.  The  lackey 
returned  with  an  answer  ;  the  official  having  read  it,  came  to  the 
ladies,  bowed  to  them,  and  said  solemnly  :  "  M.  Constant  is 
waiting." 

"  At  last !  "  said  Madame  de  Vauban,  sighing. 

"  Pi'ay  follow  me  ! "  said  the  commissary  ;  turned  to  a  curtain 
covering  a  door  leading  to  a  corridor,  and,  after  having  passed 
several  small  rooms,  he  stopped  before  a  door. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  239 

"  Here  is  M.  Constant." 

The  Countess  was  ready  to  turn  the  handle  when  the  door 
opened,  and  in  the  doorway  appeared  the  bony  head  of  a  man, 
with  small  piercing  eyes  and  jovially  smiling  face. 

"  Your  humble  servant !     Pray  come  in !     Be  so  kind.  . 
Here  on  the  sofa.     You  will  be  more  comfortable." 

The  Countess  tugged  Pani  Walewska  slightly  towai'ds  the 
sofa.  The  man  saluted,  smiled,  and  spoke  further :  "  I  was 
beginning  to  doubt  .  .  .  for  it  is  near  ten  o'clock !  It  is  true 
that  Duroc  assured  me,  but  with  ladies  it  is  always  very 
difficult.  .  .  .  But,  pray,  take  off  your  cloaks !  It  is  warm 
here.  .  .  ." 

Constant  helped  the  ladies  to  get  rid  of  their  furs  and 
shawls,  looking  attentively  at  Pani  Walewska,  and  when  she, 
by  a  last  nervous  movement,  threw  off  the  luce.  Jichu  from  her 
face,  he  half  closed  his  eyes  and  became  silent. 

Pani  Walewska,  feeling  the  looks  of  the  Emperor's  valet, 
angrily  tightened  her  lips.  That  look  irritated,  almost  offended 
her. 

"  How  long  yet.?  "  asked  the  Countess. 

Constant  pulled  out  a  watch. 

"Five  minutes  ! " 

"  How  exact  you  are  !  " 

"  I  cannot  be  otherwise  with  that  whimsical  man !  I  can 
announce  you  at  ten  o'clock  .  .  .  and  I  shall  do  it  with  plea- 
sure. .  .  .  All  my  respect  and  readiness  at  your  disposal.  .  .  . 
By  the  way !  I  was  very  embarrassed  a  while  ago,  for  the  com- 
missary sent  me  word  asking  if  the  other  lady  should  be 
admitted.  Naturally  I  guessed,  but  for  a  moment  I  was  em- 
barrassed .  .  .  naturally.       -   ." 

Constant  laughed. 

Pani  Walewska  pressed  her  temples. 

"  I  could  not  permit  .  .  my  friend  alone,"  said  Madame  de 
Vauban. 

"  Undoubtedly  !  "  said  the  valet,  winking  with  his  little  eyes. 
"Ten  o'clock  !     Excuse  me      .  .  I  must  be  going  to  inquire." 

Constant  left  the  room. 

"Very  nice  man." 

"A  lackey  ! " 


240  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

The  Countess  sighed. 

"  The  Emperor's  !  ,  .  .  But  I  understand  your  noble  aversion. 
And  what  can  I  say  ?  Do  you  think,  that  in  me,  the  blood  of 
the  Barbatanes  does  not  ask  for  due  regards  ?  Gammon  sense 
demands  self-sacrifice,  and  friendship  makes  the  sacrifice  sweet. 
Constant  has  access  to  the  Emperor.  At  the  Court  of  Louis, 
barbers  threatened  ministers.  Napoleon  shaves  himself;  hence 
Constant's  influence !  An  influence  much  greater,  because  the 
Mameluke  Roustan  does  not  know  how  to  use  his.       .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  ironically. 

"You  wonder  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  had  no  time  to  answer,  for  Constant  returned  ; 
he  was  solemn  and  embarrassed. 

"What  now  .^" 

"  Nothing.  I  told  Roustan.  The  answer  will  come  soon.  .  . 
He  is  still  writing.     Three  couriers  are  waiting." 

"Then,  perhaps  .  .  ." 

"  Impossible  to  know  anything.  .  .  .  With  him  every  second, 
something  new.  Sometimes  it  is  too  hard.  A  little  while  ago 
Roustan  brought  with  him  ice-cream,  and  then  Corvisart  will 
suffer  for  that  .  .  .  Sebastiani  is  the  cause  .  .  ;  I  think  his 
career  in  Constantinople  is  ended.   . 

Constant  put  his  hand  pompously  under  his  swallow-tailed 
uniform. 

"  Is  it  possible  ?     Prince  Borghese  told  me  quite  differently." 

Constant  smiled  contemptuously. 

"He  does  not  know  anything  !  He  will  have  a  lesson.  We  will 
send  him  to  Paris,  to  his  wife  !  But  can  I  bring  you  anything  ? 
A  glass  of  Burgundy?     For  it  is  . 

Pani  Walewska  looked  sharply  at  the  valet. 

"  First  of  all,  do  your  duty,  M.  Constant,  and  announce  me  to 
his  Majesty  ! " 

At  that  sharp  speech.  Constant's  head  sank  between  his 
shoulders,  and  he  stammered  hesitatingly  :  "  Yes  .  ,  .  certainly 
,  .  .   Roustan  is  informed.   .   .   ." 

That  answer  irritated  Pani  Walewska,  and  aroused  a  desperate 
energy  in  her. 

"  You  should  not  announce  me  to  Roustan  !  1  did  not  come 
hei'e  to  pay  a  visit  in  ante-rooms.     I  am  going  ! " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  241 

She  rose  and  went  to  the  door. 

The  Countess  rushed  after  her  and  stopped  her. 

Constant,  frightened  at  such  determination,  tried  to  justify 
himself.     "  I  did  not  mean  to  offend.  .   .  ." 

"But,  naturally,  Marie  .   .  .   M.  Constant  is  .  .   ." 

'^'With  the  greatest  respect  .  .  .  The  Emperor's  waiting- 
room  is  full  of  officers  on  service.  Could  I  dare  to  show  you 
there  }  " 

"  Undoubtedly,  dear  child  ;  M.  Constant,  only  through  .  .  ." 

"I  am  going.  ..." 

At  that  moment  a  rap  on  the  door  interrupted  further  argu- 
ment. 

Constant  opened  the  door,  exchanged  a  few  words  with  the 
person  standing  behind  it,  and  returned  to  Pani  Walewska 
triumphantly. 

"His  Majesty  commands  me  to  beg  you  to  wait  in  the  green 
room ! " 

"Do  you  see,  do  you  see  !  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  dropped  her  head. 

^'Pray,  follow  me  .  .  .  only  I  would  advise  you  to  put  on 
a  Jichv.  .  .  .  We  shall  pass  rooms  with  soldiers." 

"  Ah,  how  kind  you  are,  M.  Constant !  Permit  me,  my 
dearest !     So  now  you  can  .  .  .  you  are  covered." 

"  Be  so  kind  .  .  ."  insisted  the  valet. 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  few  steps,  and  having  noticed  that 
Madame  de  Vauban  did  not  follow  her,  she  stopped. 

"  And  you  ?  "  asked  she  with  uneasiness. 

"  I — I,  my  dearest,  here  .  .  .  remain  !  I  wait  .  .  .  you 
understand?  .  .  ." 

"Yes,  yes  !  "  assented  Pani  Walewska  feverishly.  "  You  are 
right.  I  must  go  alone  !  Then  it  will  not  be  long  ...  I 
know  what  I  have  to  say.  .  .  .  Pray,  wait  a  minute,  I  shall  be 
back  soon.  .   .  ." 

"  Only  more  courage  !  Listen,  but  do  not  bind  yourself  to 
anything  .  .  .  understand !  Remember  what  I  told  you  ! " 
whispered  Madame  de  Vauban. 

Pani  Walewska  tried  to  smile. 

"Oh,  be  at  rest.  ..." 

"  M.  Constant ! " 
R 


242  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

The  valet  saluted  the  Countess  respectfully,  and  said :  "  I 
know  ...  I  know.  .  .  .  My  whole  attention  .  .  .  my  whole 
experience.  .  .  .  Pray,  this  way.  .  .  ." 

As  soon  as  Pani  Walewska  crossed  the  threshold  of  the  room, 
the  Castle,  which  had  seemed  solitary  and  deserted,  appeared  to 
her  full  of  light  and  animation.  At  every  step  Pani  Walewska 
passed  officers  of  the  staff,  aides-de-camp,  fantastically  dressed 
Mamelukes,  and  the  Court  servants  in  green  and  gold  liveries. 

Constant  walked  ahead,  sometimes  exchanging  salutes,  some- 
times answering  by  a  smile,  and  sometimes  winking  cunningly, 
and  significantly  putting  a  finger  on  his  lips. 

Several  times  amongst  the  groups  of  whispeińng  officers  there 
was  an  irritating  murmuring  and  suppressed  laughter  at  the 
sight  of  Pani  Walewska,  but  Constant's  one  look  silenced 
them. 

Pani  Walewska  guessed  the  meaning  of  those  whispers  ;  she 
understood  the  ironical  smiles,  she  felt  through  the  Jichti  cover- 
ing her  face  the  impudence  of  the  looks ;  but  notwithstanding 
all,  she  did  not  lose  her  presence  of  mind  and  self-assurance. 
On  the  contrary,  she  seemed  to  gain  strength.  She  went  on 
proudly,  and  every  beat  of  her  pulse,  every  drop  of  her  blood 
rushing  to  her  temples,  echoed  Malachowski's  word — resounded 
with  consciousness  of  her  self-sacrifice. 

That  sullen  crowd,  crushed  by  one  of  Bonaparte's  looks, 
crawling  at  his  feet,  did  not  know  whom  they  beheld.  They 
did  not  even  suspect  that  their  master,  that  mighty  man 
before  whom  they  bent,  would  be  at  her  feet,  and  what  he 
would  be  obliged  to  promise  before  he  could  touch  even  one  of 
her  hands  ! 

"  Here  is  the  green  room,"  whispered  Constant. 

Pani  Walewska  nodded  quietly. 

"Very  well." 

Constant  cleared  his  throat,  and  lifted  a  curtain  covering  the 
door. 

Pani  Walewska  noticed  a  Mameluke's  turban  and  his  brown, 
apathetic  flat  face. 

The  door  opened  quietly,  and  she  found  herself  in  a  large 
room  with  green  hangings,  dimly  lighted  by  candelabra.  She 
looked  round.     The  room  was  empty ;  only  at  its  further  end, 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  24-3 

on  the  background  of  a  white  door,  an  officer  was  standing  on 
guard. 

Constant  stopped  and  pointed  out  to  Pani  Walewska  an  arm- 
chair standing  near  the  wall. 

Pani  Walewska  was  surprised. 

"  Is  it  here  ?  "  she  asked  in  a  whisper. 

"Yes.  There  where  the  orderly  officer  is  .  .  .  the  Emperor 
is  there." 

"A  .  .  .  a  .  .  .  Then?" 

"Well,"  explained  the  valet,  "he  is  busy  just  now,  but  soon 
he  will  ask  you  in.  ...  He  knows  that  you  are  waiting.  Here 
you  can  take  off  your  veil.  Warm  ?  And  he  still  complains  of 
the  cold.     I  shall  be  in  the  next  room." 

"  You  leave  us.''  " 

"  Such  is  the  order.  None  is  allowed  here  but  the  orderly 
and  persons  admitted  to  a  special  audience.  But  it  will  not  be 
long  .   .  .  two  couriers  have  been  sent  off  already.  .  .  ." 

Constant  saluted,  and  left  the  room  on  tiptoe. 

This  new  time  of  waiting  made  a  very  unpleasant  impression 
on  Pani  Walewska ;  it  at  once  stopped  the  circulation  of  her 
bright,  simple,  and  sober  thoughts,  and  again  aroused  in  her  a 
feeling  of  uneasiness  and  fear. 

This  was  stimulated  by  the  quiet  and  dusk.  Little  by  little 
Pani  Walewska  grew  accustomed  to  that  dusk  and  quiet.  The 
quiet  was  broken  by  continual  sounds  coming  from  the 
Emperor's  room ;  strange  and  incomprehensible  sounds,  that 
sometimes  seemed  to  be  a  short,  lively  conversation,  then  a 
noise  of  turned-over  papers.  That  noise  was  interrupted  from 
time  to  time  by  the  clinking  of  spurs,  marking  the  movement 
of  the  orderly,  or  by  the  noise  of  the  street  coming  into  the 
room. 

The  dusk  presently  lifted  its  veils  for  Pani  Walewska's  eyes, 
who  could  now  distinguish  the  marble  lines  of  the  fireplace,  the 
design  of  the  hangings,  the  faces  of  the  portraits,  the  gilt 
edges  of  chairs  and  tables ;  she  even  noticed  a  plate  shining  on 
the  bearskin  of  the  officer  standing  motionless  at  the  door,  the 
trimmings  of  his  uniform,  and  the  big  hilt  of  his  sword. 

The  waiting  began  to  tire  Pani  Walewska.  Several  times  it 
seemed  to  her  that  she  heard  the  noise  of  the  door  handle, 


244  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

that  at  every  moment  she  would  heai'  her  name,  but  each  of 
the  illusions  was  followed  by  deeper  silence,  by  greater  quiet. 

At  once  the  spurs  clanked  longer. 

Pani  Walewska  turned  mechanically  towards  the  officer,  but 
she  could  not  see  his  face  because  of  the  bearskin  projecting  a 
shadow  on  it.  Pani  Walewska  thought  then  that  the  time 
seemed  long  not  to  her  alone — that  this  officer  must  be  puzzled 
by  her  presence,  and  that  he  shortened  his  time  by  making 
conjectures. 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  to  herself.  What  did  she  care  about 
the  opinion  of  such  a  dummy,  when  she  determined  to  challenge 
Napoleon  in  the  face  of  the  whole  world  ? 

All  at  once  the  door  through  which  Constant  introduced 
Pani  Walewska  opened  wide.  Into  the  room  entered  an  officer 
wearing  a  uniform  difficult  to  be  distinguished,  saluted  the  orderly 
silently  in  the  military  fashion,  and  said,  breathing  heavily,  "A 
courier  from  Paris  !  " 

The  orderly  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  Emperor's  room  and 
then  opened  it. 

A  stream  of  light  rushed  from  the  Emperor's  room,  and  in 
that  light  Pani  Walewska  saw  the  brown  martial  face  of  the 
courier,  and  she  heard  every  word. 

"Where  from  ?  " 

"  From  Paris,  Sire  !  " 

"  At  last !     Give  it  me  !  " 

There  was  a  moment  of  silence,  broken  by  the  noise  of  a  torn 
envelope,  then  the  laconic  conclusion  :  "  Very  well !  Report  to- 
morrow to  the  staff! " 

The  courier  retreated  backwards.  The  orderly  advanced  to 
close  the  door,  but  being  pushed  slightly  by  the  courier,  turned 
in  order  to  let  him  pass.  At  that  moment  the  light  coming 
from  the  room  fell  on  his  face. 

Pani  Walewska  trembled.  That  officer  was  Lieutenant 
Ornano. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  door  closed  and  the  dusk  filled  the 
room  again.  The  courier  exchanged  a  salute  with  the  orderly 
and  left.  Then  the  orderly  once  more  became  motionless  at 
the  Emperor's  door. 

Pani  Walewska  shook  off  the  first  impression. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  245 

That  meeting  was  unpleasant  to  her.  She  did  herself  not 
know  why,  but  she  would  have  given  much  that  he  had  not 
been  here. 

Was  she  not  mistaken  ?  No^  she  was  not !  It  was  he  !  He 
without  any  doubt,  only  vei'y  much  changed. 

Pani  Walewska  strained  her  eyes.  The  orderly  seemed  to  be 
changed  into  stone,  for  now  even  his  spurs  did  not  betray  the 
slightest  movement. 

Pani  Walewska  sighed. 

The  lieutenant  evidently  had  not  recognised  her,  and  he 
could  not  recognise  her,  for  he  never  could  think  that  it  was  she  ! 
They  had  only  spoken  together  a  short  time. 

This  assurance  that  she  was  unrecognised  tranquillised  Pani 
Walewska,  but  meanwhile  aroused  in  her  a  sti'ange  thought,  that 
although  as  it  was  better  so,  yet  notwithstanding  eveiything,  it 
was  bad  .  .  .  very  bad !  Pani  Walewska  tried  to  render  to  her- 
self an  account  of  that  bad  situation,  to  chase  away  the  inex- 
plicable conviction  about  it,  but  all  was  in  vain. 

Ornano  might  have  recognised  her  ! 

And  suppose  he  was  only  simulating  discretion  .''... 

Cold  perspiration  covered  Pani  Waleswka's  forehead. 

"  It  would  be  awful !  "  thought  she. 

"I  imagine  your  impatience,"  said  some  one  at  her  side. 

Pani  Walewska  trembled. 

"A  .  .  .  it  is  you,  M.  Constant!" 

"  At  your  service  !  We  have  another  courier  !  Cambaceres 
has  chosen  a  good  moment !  But  it  is  the  last !  If  I  could 
have  foreseen  that,  I  would  have  sent  you  word  that  it  would 
be  useless  before  eleven  o'clock." 

"  Yes  .  .  .  certainly ! " 

"  Madame,  you  must  be  patient  a  little  longer.  .1  will  go 
and  remind  him.  .  .  .  He  must  be  in  a  good  humour,  for  every- 
thing is  well  in  Paris.  ..." 

"  M.  Constant !  "  said  Panl  Walewska  suddenly,  tormented  by 
her  thoughts.     "  Who  is  that  officer  .  ,  .  there  .-^  " 

The  valet  bent  to  her  ear. 

"  Ornano  !  Cousin  !  Favourite  !  Lieutenant  of  the  Chasseurs. 
But  if  by  any  chance  he  is  in  your  way^  then  we  will  find  some 
means  of  dealing  with  him,  loi*,  Madame,  we  have  always  some 


246  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

means  at  hand.  One  word  to  the  Commandant  suffices^  and 
such  an  officer  will  never  see  the  Emperor's  threshold  !  Ho  !  ho  ! 
Otherwise  we  could  do  nothing  here.  .  ,  ." 

"The  idea  ...  I  asked  only  .  .  ." 

"Ornano  .  .  .  Ornano !  Prince  !   And  not  of  yesterday.  .  .  ." 

"Thank  you.   ..." 

"  I  will  go  to  remind  him.  For^  Madame^  pray  believe  me 
that  I  am  very  sorry." 

Constant  bowed  respectfully,  drew  his  head  between  his 
shoulders  and  went  to  the  imperial  threshold. 

A  stream  of  light  again  fell  into  the  room. 

"  What  do  you  want  ? "  resounded  a  sharp  voice. 

"Sire  .  .  .  the  lady ! " 

"Let  her  wait  ...  I  have  said  so  once  !  " 

Constant  withdrew  quickly. 

"  Madame,  you  heard  !  He  is  still  busy,  but  he  will  soon 
finish.     He  will  excuse  himself  aftei'wards.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  answered  the  valet  by  some  gesture.  She  did 
not  understand  what  he  was  sajdng  to  her,  and  for  the  moment 
had  not  even  any  idea  with  whom  Constant  was  talking,  when 
a  stream  of  light  rushed  from  the  Emperor's  room ;  she  saw 
Ornano's  face  for  the  second  time,  but  so  much  changed  that  he 
seemed  to  her  to  be  a  ghost. 

"  He  has  recognised  you  !  He  knows  at  last  what  you  are 
worth  !  "  hissed  some  voice  within  Pani  Walewska. 

She  gathered  all  her  energy  to  dominate  the  emotion. 

Suppose  he  recognised  her,  what  of  that  ?  .  .  .  He  thinks  ! 
He  may  think  what  he  pleases.  .  .  .  She  has  before  her  such  a 
sublime  task,  that  all  other  considerations  are  nothing.  .   .   . 

"He  knows  what  you  are  worth  !  He  knows  !  "  hissed  the 
same  voice. 

Pani  Walewska  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

At  any  moment  the  Emperor  might  call  her,  and  she  would 
be  obliged  to  pass  him.  She  would  turn  her  head  away.  No ! 
She  must  not  do  that.  Let  their  looks  meet.  If  he  is  not 
guided  by  vulgar  curiosity,  then  he  will  guess  her  intention. 
He  must  guess  !  Fancies  ,  .  .  ridiculous  fancies  !  Ornano !  She 
saw  him  once  in  her  life.  It  is  true  he  was  different  from  all 
others  .  ,  .  quite  different ! 


JNAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  247 

Suddenly  Pani  Walewska  trembled.  Right  beside  her  re- 
sounded a  subdued  voice.  Yes — he  was  speaking  to  her — 
speaking  a  long  while,  quickly.  .   .   . 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  understand  the  words. 

Ornano  laughed  drily. 

"  You  do  not  even  answer !     You  do  not  even  deny  !  " 

"Forgive  me  ...  I  was  not  paying  attention/'  she  stam- 
mered at  last. 

"Excuse  me,  then.  I  have  been  mad,  I  believed  !  When  they 
wanted  to  convince  me  ...  I  resisted  !  I  defended  a  dream  ! 
Forgive  my  daring.   .  .   ." 

"  I  have  nothing  to  forgive  !  " 

"Why  should  you  be  different?"  continued  the  lieutenant  in 
a  whisper.  "Whj'^  should  you  be  better  than  the  others,  or 
different }  I  do  not  know  where  such  illusion  came  to  me  from  ! 
In  the  beginning  I  did  not  believe  my  own  eyes  !  I  was  afraid 
to  believe  ;  but  now  that  impression  is  gone.  .  .  ." 

Ornano  was  silent. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  him  with  an  effort. 

"  I  do  not  understand  what  you  mean." 

"  You  are  .  .  .  here  .  .  at  this  time  ? " 

"What  then?"  asked  Pani  Walewska,  feeling  that  she  said 
something  quite  different  from  her  thoughts. 

"  Do  you  know  where  that  door  leads  ?  " 

"  Yes  ...  to  the  Emperor's  study." 

"  To  shame  !  Do  you  hear  me  ? — to  shame  !  Do  you  wish  to 
meet  the  fate  of  Lacoite,  de  Vandeg,  or  Charlotte  Garrans?" 

Ornano  took  Pani  Walewska  by  the  hand. 

"  Go  away  from  here.    There  is  still  time  !     Go  away  !...'' 

"  I  cannot !  "  moaned  Pani  WalcM'ska. 

"  You  dream  of  influence  .  .  .  power  ?  You  are  wrong ! 
To-morrow  or  the  day  after  you  will  be  thrown  away  !  Do  you 
understand  ?  Your  levity  will  be  valued  and  you  will  be  paid 
for  it !     Do  you  hear  me  ?     Nothing  more  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  tightened  her  lips. 

Ornano  breathed  heavily,  and  continued  in  a  whisper — 

"  Retreat  while  there  is  time  !  Run  away !  I  beseech  you  ! 
Do  you  think  that  I  am  considering  myself?  I  shall  be  gone 
to-morrow — you  will  never  see  me  again.     My  only  desire  is  to 


248  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

preserve  a  pure  memory  of  you^  not  to  witness  your  madness. 
You  are  silent?  " 

Pani  Walewska  tui'ned  her  head  with  an  effort  towards  the 
Emperor's  room,  and  said  feverishly  :  "  I  must  go  there  ...  I 
must  tell  him — I  must  get  from  him  a  promise  !  Nobody  else  but 
I  !  You  do  not  know,  you  do  not  guess  .  .  .  but  it  must  be  so  ! 
Duty  !  .  .  .   I  undertook  it  voluntarily." 

Ornano  laughed. 

"  Perhaps  you  think  you  will  be  able  to  rule  ?  Never  !  The 
Emperor  alone  knows  how  to  appreciate  women.  He  tramples 
on  them — and  he  is  right  to  act  so  !  What  did  you  come  for  ? 
What  for  .''  Could  you  swear  that  you  wish  to  see  the  Emperor, 
and  that  you  do  not  wish  to  grasp  at  his  power  and  riches } 
The  Emperor  pays  well  ;  he  knows  what  the  regard  of  the  ladies 
who  wait  in  his  ante-chambers  for  an  audience  is  worth.  .  .  ." 

"  Be  silent !  " 

Ornano  tugged  at  his  shoulder-belt. 

"  You  are  right.  ...  I  went  too  far.  I  said  too  much.  Pray 
forget  my  behaviour.  It  seemed  to  me  that  it  was  my  duty. 
Now  I  have  nothing  to  reproach  myself  with." 

"  I  am  convinced.  I  was  not  mistaken  when  I  thought  that 
you  know  no  more  than  the  appearance." 

"What.?" 

"Then,  remember  that  the  reasons  which  brought  me  here 
are  beyond  your  conjectures.  Neither  have  you  the  right  to 
ask  me,  nor  I  the  right  to  answer  you." 

Ornano  stretched  himself  up. 

"Yes,  it  is  true  ...  I  have  no  right.  Childishness!  .  .  . 
Dream  .  .  .  ridiculous  dream  !  .  .  .  But  I  beseech  you  just  the 
same,  leave  this  place,  return.  There  is  yet  time  if  you  only 
have  the  will.     I  will  call  Constant !  " 

"  I  asked  for  an  audience." 

Ornano  laughed. 

"Audience  !     You  call  that  an  audience  .''  " 

Pani  Walewska  lifted  her  head  proudly. 

"  I  do  not  understand  your  irony.  I  am  waiting  for  an 
audience  with  the  Emperor  of  the  French  ! " 

"  It  is  ini})Ossible  !  No,  a  hundred  times  no  !  They  deceived 
you,  they  lied  to  you.    You  would  not  have  come  here  wilfully." 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  249 

"I  cannot  explain  to  myself  your  words.  You  are  talking  as 
if  you  doubted  some  one's  honour,"  whispered  Pani  Walewska, 
whom  the  lieutenant's  voice  began  to  frighten. 

"  Yes,  it  is  true.  I  do  not  know  myself  what  I  am  talking 
about.  But  why  did  you  come  here  ?  I  understand  they  are 
deceiving  your  vigilance.     Why  are  you  silent?" 

Pani  Walewska  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

Ornano  bent  to  her. 

"  You  do  not  try  to  justify  yourself.  Then  can  it  be  true 
that  you  willingly  ?  .   .   ." 

"  You  wish  to  know  ?     Then,  yes,  I  came  here  willir  gly  !  " 

"Without  reckoning  to  yourself  how  this  audience  will  be 
understood .'' " 

"It  is  indifferent  to  me." 

Ornano  laughed  spasmodically. 

"  You  try  to  reach  so  high  !  Ha !  ha  !  What  do  you  care 
about  the  woi'ld,  about  people  ?  .  .  .  Ha  !  ha  !  You  think  that 
others  have  not  said  the  same .''  Ha !  ha  !  And  how  did  you 
know  that  you  would  even  be  received .''  Have  you  heard  the 
command  :  '  Let  her  wait ! '  which  often  is  followed  by  :  '  She 
can  go  ! '  Tell  me,  is  he  not  right  ?  Do  any  of  you  deserve  to 
be  treated  differently  .^  For  why  do  you  come  to  him  ?  And 
I  did  not  believe — do  you  hear  me  }  .  .  .  even  to-day  I  stood  up 
for  you  !  It  seemed  to  me  that  you  were  different,  that  if  God 
has  given  you  so  much  beauty,  then  He  must  have  given  you 
also  a  pure  soul  and  immaculate  heart.  I  curse  the  moment  in 
which  I  saw  you  for  the  first  time ;  for  a  moment  of  bliss  you 
charge  the  horrid  usury  of  disenchantment !  .  .  ." 

"  You  are  not  justified  in  reproaching  me.  I  have  not  given 
any  reason,"  stammered  Pani  Walewska. 

"  I  am  not  justified !  Had  I  to  ask  the  lily's  permission  to 
admire  it  ?  Then,  it  is  not  permitted  to  adore  a  star .''... 
Should  I  have  another  reason  to  love  you  than  one  meeting  of 
your  eyes.  .  .  .  Justification  !  .  .  .  Listen,  then :  there  in  my 
breast  is  beating  a  heart  for  you — it  beats  with  all  my  life.  There 
is  no  selfish  thought  in  me.  I  wish  to  preserve  you  immaculate 
— I  wish  to  die  with  your  image.  It  surprises  you  that  I  defend 
you,  that  I  am  afraid  about  your  purity.  .  .  .  Mary !  I  bend  to 
your  feet !     I  do  not  ask  for  anything  for  myself — nothing  !     I 


250  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

do  not  dare  to  suppose  that  you  could  be  able  to  leave  the  road 
of  duty,  that  you  should  turn  your  eyes  on  me  !  I  swear  to  you 
that  my  only  wish  is  to  go  away  with  a  memory  of  you  ...  go 
alone  !  And  if  I  am  talking  to  you,  I  am  doing  it  not  for  a 
paltry  motive,  for  the  sake  of  intrigue,  for  jealousy  !  Behind 
this  door  is  the  Emperor !  The  Emperor  whom  I  worship — I 
am  ready  to  give  my  life  for  him  !  And  you  come  here  to  make 
me  hate  him  !  I  know  you  are  thinking  of  power,  and  certainly 
I  do  not  know  a  woman  more  worthy  than  you  to  wear  a  crown. 
Were  I  strong  enough  I  would  offer  it  to  you  first.  I  would  like 
to  have  you  for  the  Empress,  to  watch  at  your  door,  to  serve 
you.  Unfortunately,  I  must  see  not  only  that  I  am  powerless, 
but  also  that  you  are  blinded.  It  seems  to  you  that  behind 
that  door  power  is  waiting  for  you ;  you  stretch  your  arms,  and 
you  do  not  notice  the  precipice  that  divides  you  from  it !  You 
will  be  ruined  !  Do  you  hear  ?  The  Court  will  suck  out  all  the 
best  of  you  and  throw  you  away,  taking  another  victim  !  And 
what  then  ?     Tell  me  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  trembled !  Ornano's  words  moved  her, 
opened  her  eyes  by  their  force,  fired  her  imagination. 

"Yes — yes,  you  are  right!"  she  said  nervously.  "I  cannot 
stay  here  !  Not  one  moment  longer !  Małachowski  deceived 
himself.  I  am  not  strong  enough  for  such  a  difficult  task.  I  am 
weak !  I  shall  perish  !  Not  one  moment  longer  !  I  was  mad  to 
come  here.  Lead  me  away  from  here.  I  shall  return  home  to 
Walewice,  to  my  quiet.     I  return.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  heavily.     Ornano  bent  to  her  hand. 

"  You  are  good,  noble,  worthy!"  he  said  with  joy.  ""  I  thought 
you  so,  I  guessed  you  to  be  so !  You  could  not  be  different ! 
Excuse  my  bold  words  !     Forgive  me  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  sprang  from  her  seat. 

"  Let  us  come  away  from  here  !     Lead  me  .  .  .  lead  me  !  " 

Ornano  came  to  his  senses. 

"  I  will  call  Constant.  I  cannot  accompany  you.  I  am  on 
duty!" 

"Then  you  abandon  me.''" 

"Abandon  you  !  ...  If  I  only  could  !  .  .  .  " 

"  Constant  may  not  obey  me  ! "  interrupted  Pani  Walewska 
feverishly. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  S5l 

"  I  undertake  that  he  will.  Then  there  is  only  this  door  to 
the  Emperor's  room^  and  I  am  guarding  it !  .  .  ." 

OrnanOj  not  waiting  for  Pani  Walewska's  answer,  rushed  to 
the  door  leading  to  the  service  room,  and  he  was  taking  hold  of 
the  handle  when  suddenly  the  opposite  door  into  the  Emperor's 
room  opened  with  noise. 

Napoleon  appeared  at  it. 

"Ornano!"  came  a  loud  call.  The  lieutenant  stopped  as 
if  paralysed^  riveted  to  the  floor. 

"Sire  !  "  he  stammered. 

"  Here  are  the  papers  !     To  Maret  at  once  !  " 

The  lieutenant  automatically  approached  the  Emperor,  took 
from  his  hand  the  roll  of  papers,  and  went  slowly  to  the  door. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Napoleon  walked  to  Pani  Walewska  stand- 
ing in  the  centre  of  the  room. 

"  A  .   .  .  you.   .  .  .  Pray  follow  me ! " 

The  officer's  spurs  clanked  violently. 

The  Emperor  turned. 

"  Omano  ! " 

"Sire!" 

"  Have  I  to  repeat  my  order  ?     March  ! " 

Ornano  stretched  himself  violently  and  turned  to  the  door. 

Napoleon  looked  after  the  lieutenant  till  the  door  closed  after 
him  ;  then  he  said  simperingly  to  Pani  Walewska  :  "  Well,  pray 
come  in ! " 

She  followed  him  slowty. 

Napoleon,  not  looking  after  her,  entered  the  room  and  sat  at 
his  desk  covered  with  papers. 

Pani  Walewska  passed  the  threshold  and  stopped. 

The  Em})eror  looked  through  some  papers,  tugged  at  a  large 
sheet,  and  having  turned  imperceptibly,  he  said  abruptly : 
"  Shut  the  door !     Sit  down  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  executed  the  command. 

Quiet  ruled  supreme  in  the  room. 

Pani  Walewska  became  familiar  with  the  light  coming  from 
large  candelabra  reflected  in  two  large  mirrors ;  then  little  by 
little  she  dominated  her  fright,  and  began  to  comprehend  the 
thoughts  crowding  on  her. 

At  last  she  was  with  the  Emperor ! 


252  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

She  beheld  him  sitting  at  the  desk  !  She  could  see  the  clouds 
passing  over  the  imperial  brow !  She  heard  the  violent  short 
screech  of  the  pen  that  preceded  every  throwing  aside  of  the 
papers  ;  she  distinguished  large  silver  monograms  upon  portfolios 
scattered  on  the  floor,  as  well  as  the  complicated  design  of  dark 
red  damask  covering  the  walls  ;  she  noticed  the  large  portrait  of 
the  last  Polish  king  Poniatowski,  and  the  figure  of  the  secretary 
bent  over  the  papers  at  the  other  end  of  the  room,  the  sword 
lying  on  the  chair,  and  the  grimacing  face  of  a  satyr  standing 
on  the  mantelpiece. 

She  was  with  the  Empei'or  !  One  moment  more,  and  she 
would  cast  away  the  burden  weighing  on  her  so  heavily.  She 
would  tell  him  !  She  must  tell  him  !  But  suppose  ...  It  is 
true  that  this  audience  is  quite  strange !  He  told  her  to  wait. 
Why .''  He  is  busy.  She  was  with  the  Emperor !  She  was 
almost  forced  to  come,  and  now  he  does  not  even  look  at  her. 

At  once  it  seemed  to  her  that  she  heard  the  noise  of  the 
spurs  behind  the  door. 

There  was  Ornano !  No  doubt  about  it !  Why  did  he  speak 
to  her  like  that  ?  He  spoke  so  convincingly  ;  but  how  mistaken 
he  was !  For  what  then  .''  She  is  with  the  Emperor,  and  in  his 
behaviour  towards  her  she  does  not  see  anything  else  but  in- 
difference and  neglect. 

The  situation  seemed  to  Pani  Walewska  ridiculous.  So  many 
passionate  discussions,  so  many  fears,  warnings,  fights,  and  at  last 
she  was  received  almost  with  a  shrugging  of  the  shoulders  ;  and 
now  by  every  movement  she  was  given  to  understand  that  her 
presence  cannot  hinder  him  from  reading  reports,  that  she  does 
not  deserve  even  a  few  words  of  conversation  between  the 
reading  of  two  documents. 

And  Małachowski  imagined  .  .  . !  Not  he  alone,  but  all  of 
them.     She  also  was  mistaken.  .  .  . 

But,  such  being  the  case,  why  had  he  asked  her  to  see  him  ? 

Impatience  began  to  take  hold  of  Pani  Walewska.  The 
thought  that  her  presence  was  forgotten  tormented  her. 
The  Emperor  did  not  lift  his  eyes  from  the  papers ;  he  moved 
several  times  in  his  armchair,  but  it  seemed  only  to  turn  away 
fi'om  her  moi'C. 

A  long,  unbearable  moment  passed.    At  last,  at  the  other  end 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  253 

of  the  room,  a  slight  movement  was  heard.  The  Emperor's 
secretary  rose,  gathered  together  his  papers,  and  having 
approached  him  on  his  tiptoes,  he  put  them  on  the  edge  of  the 
table. 

"  Have  you  finished .''  "  muttered  Napoleon. 

"  Yes,  Sire." 

"  You  can  go." 

The  secretary  bovi  sd,  and  went  towards  the  door.  Napoleon 
called  after  him  :  "  Meneval ! " 

"  Sire  ?  " 

"  Remind  me  to-morrow  about  Talma.  The  actors  of  the 
Comedy  have  quarrelled  again." 

Meneval  saluted  for  the  second  time ;  then  he  went. 

The  Emperor  remained  alone  with  Pani  Walewska. 

When  the  secretary  left  she  was  again  seized  with  nervous 
trembling.  She  was  certain  that  now,  at  any  moment,  the 
Empei'or  would  turn  to  hex-,  that  the  decisive  moment  for 
Malachowski's  hopes  had  come. 

But,  contrary  to  her  supposition.  Napoleon  bent  over  the 
desk  and  concentrated  himself  on  the  papers. 

Pani  Walewska  became  quiet.  A  bitter  smile  twisted  her 
beautiful  face.  The  clock  on  the  mantelpiece  struck  twelve 
o'clock. 

The  Emperor  rose  suddenly  from  the  chair,  pushed  it,  and 
began  to  walk  across  the  room.  Then  he  stopped  near  Pani 
Walewska. 

"  Blow  out  the  candles  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  went  to  the  branched  candlesticks. 

The  Emperor  started  again  walking  across  the  room,  stopping 
from  time  to  time  at  the  desk  and  glancing  at  the  papers,  as  if 
verifying  their  contents. 

Pani  Walewska,  having  blown  out  the  lights,  returned  to 
the  sofa,  turning  round  the  desk  so  as  not  to  meet  Napoleon 
walking  to  and  fro. 

The  room  now  was  almost  dark,  it  being  lighted  only  by  an 
oil  lamp  with  a  green  shade  standing  on  the  desk,  and  con- 
centrating its  light  on  the  papers. 

Pani  Walewska  followed  the  Emperor's  silhouette  furtively, 
but  it  was  in  the  shadow,  and  only  when  he  came  near  the 


254  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

lamp  could  she  see  the  colours  of  his  uniform  and  the  sharp 
outlines  of  his  features. 

Pani  Walewska  was  counting  mechanically  the  tick-tack  of  the 
clock. 

Five  .  .  .  ten  .  .  .  twenty  .  .  .  thirty.  .  .  No,  it  cannot 
continue  any  longer.     She  would  rise  and  go. 

The  Emperor  is  busy.  He  has  no  time.  She  ought  to  go 
out  unnoticed.  It  is  late  .  .  .  very  late.  And  then  Vauban 
will  be  making  conjectures.  And  not  she  alone.  Princess 
Jabłonowska,  Ornano,  Frpie — all  of  them.  .  .  .  They  wished 
to  apply  their  measure  to  him,  to  Napoleon.  But  suppose  she 
should  now  fall  at  his  feet  and  tell  him  why  she  came  here? 
Suppose  she  tells  him  the  whole  truth  .  >  .  all  her  most  secret 
thoughts  .  .  .  ? 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  ironically  to  herself. 

And  how  should  she  begin  ?  She  was  asked  to  come,  and 
if,  notwithstanding  that,  he  has  nothing  to  tell  her,  if  he  does 
not  feel  it  his  duty  at  least  to  say  a  few  commonplace  words 
of  politeness  to  her,  if  he  treats  her  so  coolly — so  indifferently — • 
then  how  could  she  suppose  that  he  will  listen  to  her,  much  less 
grant  her  anything  ?  .  .  .  The  Emperor  spoke  to  her,  he  asked 
her  for  a  conversation,  and  now  he  perhaps  regrets  it ;  he  is 
meditating,  perhaps,  how  he  can  get  rid  of  her. 

Self-esteem  moved  Pani  W^alewska ;  she  rose  and  went 
towards  the  door. 

The  Emperor,  however,  caught  the  rustling  of  her  dress, 
lifted  his  head,  and  said  impatiently  :  "  Where  are  you  going  ?  " 

"Sire!" 

"Sit  down." 

Pani  Walewska  stood  motionless.     Napoleon  came  to  her. 

"  What  have  you  to  tell  me .''  What }  You  have  come  at 
last !  Who  taught  you  to  play  a  comedy  with  me  .-*  You  are 
beautiful  ...  it  is  no  news  to  you  .  ,  .  I  suppose  you  repeat 
that  to  yourself  every  day .''  .  What  ł  Do  not  frown.  You 
are  beautiful.  .  .  ." 

Napoleon's  voice  changed  into  subdued  muttering.  His  hand 
touched  Pani  Walewska's  face ;  she  retreated  with  disgust.  The 
Emperor  seized  her  by  the  hand. 

"Well,  well,  be  not  angry.     Why  do  you  not  speak.''     Do 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  255 

you  know  why  I  asked  you  to  come  ?  To  tell  you  that  I  love 
you.  .  .  .   Do  you  hear  ?     I  love  you  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

Napoleon  frowned. 

"  Be  reasonable  ;  I  do  not  like  comedies.  You  have  already 
abused  my  good  will.  It  seems  to  you  that  I  am  going  to  sigh 
like  a  youngster.  Be  calm  !  Are  you  afraid .''  And  perhaps 
you  have  some  request  ?  Of  course !  Well,  out  with  it !  it 
becomes  too  tedious." 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  violent  movement,  and  said  with  an 
outburst :  "  Yes,  Sire,  I  have  a  request  .  .  .  more  than  a 
request.  .  .  ." 

"  What  is  it }  " 

"  That  your  Majesty  will  not  insult  me ;  not  humiliate 
me.  .  .  ." 

Napoleon's  eyes  shone  with  vivid  light ;  on  his  lips  appeared 
a  sweet  smile. 

"  You  are  a  capricious  child.  Do  not  interpret  my  words 
wrongly.  Sit  here  beside  me ;  like  that.  .  .  .  You  got  the 
mastery  over  me  !  Do  you  think  that  I  am  pleased  with  that 
sentiment  ?  I  would  first  like  to  break  that  chain  which  you 
have  put  on  me.  Hence  my  irritability.  Oho  !  my  little  one  ! 
you  thought  that  resistance  was  your  privilege  alone.  You  are 
afraid  .  .  .  and  you  do  not  think  that  the  depth  of  your  eyes, 
that  those  lovely  hands,  that  those  shining  teeth,  are  not  a 
hundred  times  more  dangerous  .f*  ,  .  .  I  to  humiliate  you !  .  .  . 
But  do  you  know  why .''  Because  I  thought  that  you  came 
here  not  only  to  chain  me  with  your  looks,  but  also  to  wrench 
away  a  part  of  my  power.  .  .  .  For  I  thought  that  you  did  not 
come  to  me,  but  to  my  crown,  to  my  sceptre,  to  my  imperial 
mantle.  .  .  ,  What  ?  Can  you  deny  it .''  You  see  .  .  .  Then 
you  are  right  to  wonder.  I  ...  to  insult  you !  .  .  .  But  you 
are  so  much,  so  much  to  me  that  if  I  could,  I  would  seat  you 
where  neither  I  should  be  obliged  to  stoop  down  to  you,  nor 
you  to  creep  to  me.  I  .  .  .  humiliate  you  ?  .  .  .  Mary,  I 
want  you,  for  I  must  love  you !  I  have  not  sought  you ;  I 
did  not  try  to  know  you ;  you  crossed  my  way  by  your  own 
impulse.  .  .  /' 

"  Is  it  not  permitted  to  a  subject  .  .  .  ? " 


256  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"Do  not  talk  like  that  to  me.  Fate  conducted  you,  and  it 
is  done.  You  came.  To-day  you  must  not  even  mention  the 
motives  by  which  you  were  prompted.  It  suffices  for  me  that 
you  are  near  me,  that  I  can  look  at  you  ! " 

The  Emperor's  voice  grew  softer  and  softer;  Napoleon's 
eyes  were  burning. 

"Sire,  permit  me  to  go." 

Bonaparte  laughed  indulgently. 

"And  you  suppose  that  I  would  let  you  go?  You  are  afraid 
.  .  .  afraid  of  me  !  You  are  crying !  The  thought  that  you 
will  be  my  joy  makes  you  sad  to  such  a  degree." 

"I  do  not  belong  to  myself!  " 

Napoleon  seized  her  hand  and  spoke  violently — 

"  Yes  .  .  .  for  you  are  mine  !  Do  you  understand  ?  From 
to-day  nohody  has  any  right  over  you.  You  will  be  with  me. 
I  am  mighty  enough  to  surround  you  with  such  a  j)ower  that 
nobody  will  dare  to  raise  his  eyes  to  you.  I  will  give  you 
palaces  and  riches ;  I  will  make  yovn*  life  beautiful  and  full  of 
delight !  You  will  be  my  star,  and  every  one  of  your  wishes  will 
be  a  command  to  me.  I  will  oblige  the  most  powerful  to  seek 
one  of  your  smiles.  I  will  write  your  name  on  the  pages  of 
history.  I  shall  have  the  world  at  my  feet,  and  I  shall  be  at 
yours.  Everybody  that  is  dear  to  your  heart  will  be  so  to  me 
also.  To  your  family  I  shall  give  honours  and  riches — I  shall 
give  them  everything  they  wish  for.  I  do  not  know  a  sacrifice 
great  enough  for  you.  .  .  You  will  permit  me  to  seek  some 
rest  beside  you  after  hard  work ;  you  will  have  a  loving  word 
for  me ;  you  will  persuade  me  that  you  love  me  not  for  the 
crown  and  sceptre. 

Bonaparte  became  silent.  Pani  Walewska  was  sitting- 
motionless,  as  if  listening  to  the  Emperor's  words. 

Napoleon  bent  to  her. 

"  You  are  mine,  Mary  !     Do  you  hear  ?     I  love  you  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  pushed  aside,  with  a  swift  movement  of  her 
hand,  the  hair  that  was  slipping  on  her  forehead,  and  pressing 
her  hands  nervously,  said  hesitatingly :  "  Sire,  were  you  not  an 
Emperor,  I  would  not  hesitate  with  my  answer." 

Bonaparte  seized  her  hands,  and  covered  them  with  kisses. 

"Speak  like  that.     My  presentiment  did  not  deceive  me." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  257 

''But,  Sire,"  continued  Pani  Walewska  with  increasing 
energy,  "if  you  have  doubts  that  I  was  prom])ted  by  calcula- 
tions, I  must  be  afraid  that  it  is  only  your  absolute  might,  your 
desire,  that  does  not  know  any  obstacles,  your  Court,  flattering 
any  of  your  wishes,  gave  me  to  you  as  a  sacrifice  for  a 
momentary  passion.   .  .  ." 

Napoleon  dropped  her  hands. 

"  Speak  on,  speak  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  rose,  and  said,  after  a  moment  of  silence  : 
''Therefore,  Sire,  I  must  be  cautious.  I  must  remember  to- 
morrow, which  may  bring  me  disgrace.  I  must  think  how,  in 
case  1  am  deserted,  I  should  find  consolation.  .  .  ," 

Napoleon  laughed  sarcastically. 

"Aha  !  You  are  so  careful  I  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  Well,  what  more  .'' 
How  much .''  Speak,  why  do  you  not  ?  Certainly  it  is  better 
to  set  the  price  !  Well,  what  do  you  wish  for .''  Go  on,  quick  ! 
I  do  not  like  long  bargaining  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  staggered  under  the  weight  of  the  Emperor's 
hoarse  voice. 

Napoleon  did  not  pay  any  attention  to  the  impression  he 
made,  and  urged  with  increasing  anger. 

"  Do  not  stand  on  ceremonies  !  I  am  ready  to  say  that  I  like 
such  frankness !  Say,  then  !  I  am  rich  enough !  Well,  you 
are  silent?" 

Pani  Walewska  threw  herself  at  the  Emperor's  feet. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  you  ? " 

"  Sire  !  return  to  my  comitry  her  existence — revive  her,  call 
her  to  hfe  .  .  .  rebuild !  .  .  ." 

Bonaparte  bent  to  her  in  order  to  lift  her  up. 

"Mad  woman  !  .  .  .  A  hundred  times  mad  !  " 

"Permit  me  to  remain  as  I  am.  I  will  be  your  slave,  your 
humblest  servant !  Only  look  at  the  millions  of  arms  stretched 
out  to  you  !  Only  realise  the  hopes  of  our  legions,  only  reward 
them  for  years  of  sacrifices  !  " 

"  Madame,  rise,  if  you  please  !  " 

"I  do  not  ask  you  for  anything  for  myself,"  besought  she; 
"I  do  not  wish  for  anything!" 

"  Rise  !  "  commanded  the  Emperor  imperatively,  helping  her 
to  do  so. 


258  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  You  do  not  know  yourself  what  you  are  talking  about ! 
Childishness !  They  have  suborned  you^  they  are  using  you  for 
a  tool !" 

"  YeS;,  it  is  true^  Sire  !  "  said  Pani  Walewska  with  an  effort. 
"  But  I  hope^  I  believe  that  I  am  seconding  your  own  wishes, 
that  the  fulfilment  of  our  hopes  Avill  give  millions  of  hearts 
that  will  throb  for  you,  millions  of  people  that  will  be  ready 
to  die  for  you  !  " 

Napoleon  put  one  of  his  hands  under  his  uniform  and  began 
feverishly  to  walk  to  and  fro  in  the  room. 

"Sire,  we  are  waiting  for  one  word  from  you,  the  hope  of 
hearing  it.   ..." 

Bonaparte  stopped  suddenly  before  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Who  taught  you  that  speech  ?  Then  you  come  here  for 
that  purpose  .''  You  recited  your  lesson  till  you  have  learned  it  by 
heart !  What !  Do  you  imagine  that  I  shall  become  your  knight- 
errant — that  from  the  ruin  of  quarrels,  disorder,  imaginary 
ambitions  and  selfishness  of  your  aristocracy,  the  insolence 
of  your  nobility — here,  hundreds  of  miles  from  my  own  country, 
I  shall  build  a  palace  of  cards .''  Then  I  have  given  them  an 
answer,  even  too  generous  a  one,  and  in  return  I  have  until  now 
promises  .  .  .  hunger  and  diseases  in  the  army  .  .  .  lack  of 
shelter  for  my  soldiers  ...  I  have  excuses  and  complaints,  so 
that  .  .  .  that  I  regret,  that  I  did  not  come  here  as  an  enemy!" 

"Sire  !  "  whispered  Pani  Walewska  M'ith  a  trembling  voice. 

"  Be  silent !  You  have  recited  the  lesson  they  taught  you. 
Enough  of  it !  I  cannot  bear  women  mixing  in  politics.  Enough ! " 

Pani  Walewska  tightened  her  lips  and  went  towards  the  door. 

The  Emperor  crossed  her  way. 

"Where  to  ?  .  .  ,  You  shall  remain  here  !  " 

"  Sire ! " 

"  You  shall  remain ! "  repeated  Bonaparte  with  a  muffled 
voice,  "  for  I  wish  it !     Do  you  hear  }  " 

Darkness  covered  Pani  Walewska's  eyes.  She  felt  warm 
breath  near  her  face,  she  heard  words  which  burned  her,  wounded 
her,  crushed  her.  She  understood  that  Napoleon's  every  word, 
his  every  entreaty  and  every  oath  were  forming  one  strong  chain 
that  was  put  round  her,  but  she  lacked  strength  to  answer,  to 
find  words. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  259 

And  the  Emperor's  voice^  from  being  irritated  and  angry, 
from  penetrating  like  steel,  changed  into  a  hardly-heard  whisper. 

"  I  love  you !  You  must  stay  with  me,  and  you  shall  stay ! 
I  take  you !     You  are  beautiful  .  .   .  you  are  mine !  .  .  ." 

"  Never  !  "  cried  Pani  Walewska  with  a  desperate  outburst. 

Bonaparte  grew  pale ;  sparks  came  from  his  eyes.  He  bent 
his  head,  he  stretched  out  his  arms  and  seized  her  by  her 
shoulders. 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  say  something,  but  she  could  only 
move  her  lips — she  fainted. 

Napoleon,  feeling  the  weight  of  her  inert  body  that  fell  into 
his  arms,  laughed,  and  that  laughter  was  answered  by  the  clank- 
ing of  his  orderly's  spurs  on  the  other  side  of  the  door. 


CHAPTER  XII 

AFTER  an  almost  sleepless  night  the  Chamberlain  was  just 
^  dressing,  when  Princess  Jabłonowska  was  announced.  He 
quickly  put  on  a  dressing-gown  and  went  to  meet  her. 

The  Princess  was  unusually  solemn,  and  when,  after  the 
ordinary  exchange  of  greetings,  the  Chamberlain  began  to 
complain,  not  sparing  to  reproach  his  sister  at  every  moment, 
and  making  bitter  exclamations  against  Madame  de  Vauban, 
the  Princess  smiled  coolly,  and  answered :  "Ah,  my  dear,  your 
arguments  would  be  very  good  in  the  mouth  of  a  paltry  noble- 
man. You  are  talking  as  if  you  did  not  know  the  Court  and 
the  world.     Marie  is  in  the  right  place." 

''  In  your  iinagination,  but  not  in  mine." 

"Directly  you  decided  to  use  her  for  your  ambitious 
plans  ..." 

The  Chamberlain  rapped  his  snufF-box  violently. 

"  It  does  not  mean  that  I  shall  permit  her  to  be  in  the  hands 
of  that  intriguing  woman." 

"  You  do  not  imagine  how  much  you  are  indebted  to  Madame 
de  Vauban." 

"  I  do  not  care  for  her  services.  I  have  enough  of  her.  She 
wishes  to  entangle  Marie,  to  catch  her  in  snares.  I  have  ample 
proof  it.  She  went  to  her  yesterday.  ...  I  was  waiting  till 
midnight.     Do  you  know  what  has  happened  .''  " 

"  She  was  taken  ill,  and  Madame  de  Vauban  kept  her.  There 
is  nothing  extraordinary  in  that." 

The  Chamberlain  laughed  drily. 

"  She  was  taken  ill,  and  could  not  drive  a  couple  of  hundred 
yards  !     Do  you  think  that  I  do  not  know  ?  .  .   ." 

"  What  ?  "  interrupted  the  Princess  uneasily. 

"  The  guests  left  the  Blacha  Palace  only  towards  the  morning." 

260 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  261 

«Ah!  yes.  .  .  ." 

"  Is  it  not  enough  ?  Why  should  she  stay  there  ?  Where  I 
am  not  she  must  not  be  either.  I  permitted  her  to  gOj  for 
I  thought  it  was  only  a  question  of  civiUty.  But  they  wish 
simply  to  take  hold  of  her  entirely,  to  make  her  join  their 
clique — perhaps  to  arm  her  against  me.  But  it  shall  not  be  ! 
I  shall  not  permit  her  to  take  another  step  without  me.  I  shall 
not  permit  her  to  open  her  mouth.  Vauban  must  stop  her  visits 
here.  And  I  wonder  that  you  should  have  permitted  such 
familiarity." 

"But,  Anastazy!" 

"Do  not  deny  it.  You  have  been  there.  I  know  it. 
Małachowski,  Wybicki,  and  Sobolewski  were  there  too.  All 
Dombrowski's  partisans  gathered  there.  Do  you  see  that  I  know.'' 
I  know  about  everything,  even  M.  de  Perigord's  civihties." 

"  Then  you  must  know  also  that  your  charge  of  Chamberlain 
was  confii-med." 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  his  sister  with  astonishment. 

"  Confirmed — my  charge  of  Chamberlain  ?  " 

"  Well,  yes ;  and  this  is  the  proof  that  Marie  has  not  lost  her 
time.  The  Duke  de  Bassano  told  her  about  it  semi-officially, 
and  she  sent  me  to  you  with  this  news." 

The  Chamberlain  puffed  out  his  cheeks,  rapped  his  snuff-box 
lightly,  and  said  indifferently — 

"Very  much  obliged  for  what  I  have  long  possessed." 

"  Yes ;  but  the  question  is  about  the  charge  of  Chamberlain 
of  the  Imperial  Court.  Perhaps  it  is  nothing  very  much,  but 
it  is  the  first  step  to  further  honours  and  dignities." 

"  H'm  !  ...  it  may  be.  Only  her  haste  was  not  necessary. 
I  told  her  that  first  of  all  I  must  have  here  .  ■  .  Do  you 
understand  ?  " 

The  Princess  did  not  understand  the  eloquent  movement  of 
the  hand  from  the  right  shoulder  across  the  breast  towards  the 
left  hip. 

"Legion,"  explained  the  Chamberlain. 

"  I  do  not  know  ...  as  it  seems,  it  is  difficult  for  those 
who  are  not  in  the  army.  Although  ....  it  will  be  possible 
for  you.  .  .  ." 

That  assm*ance  tranquillised   the   Chamberlain,  excited   his 


262  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

imagination^  and  directed  his  thoughts  to  his  cherished  dream 
about  his  future  position. 

The  Princess  hstened  silently  to  her  brother's  ambitious 
plans,  with  which  she  was  already  familiar,  neither  approving 
them  nor  making  an  opposition. 

The  Chamberlain  spoke  at  length :  humiliated  his  adversaries, 
distributed  offices,  gave  advice  to  Napoleon — till  he  tired  him- 
self, coughed,  and,  feeling  pain  in  his  legs,  seated  himself  in  an 
armchair,  and  only  then  noticed  the  Princess's  indifference. 

"Why  do  you  not  speak  ?  " 

"  I  was  listening." 

"  You  were  listening,  and  perhaps  you  disapprove  ?  What  ? 
Do  you  deny  it.''  I  know  that  you  have  other  views.  But 
I  must  tell  you  that  I  shall  not  permit  anybody  to  change  my 
orders  .  .  .  anybody  .  .  .  perhaps  you  do  not  believe  ..." 

"  Entirely  .  .  .  but  permit  me  for  a  moment  to  change  the 
subject.     I  came  to  inform  you  of  something." 

"What  is  it?" 

"  The  Grand  Marshal  will  call  on  you  to-day." 

"  Duroc  will  come  !  .   .   .  H'm  !  .   .   .   I  will  receive  him." 

"Certainly,  but  this  time  his  visit  may  be  connected  with 
some  proposition.  .  .  ." 

"And  it  is  time  for  them." 

"Then,  dear  Anastazy,"  continued  the  Princess  with  increas- 
ing animation,  "  if  you  remember  that  there  is  the  question  of 
the  welfare  of  your  family,  that  you  must  accommodate  yourself 
to  the  circumstances,  that  you  cannot  do  anything  against 
destiny  ...  If  you  do  not  lose  common  sense  and  control  over 
yourself  .  .  ." 

"  What  are  you  aiming  at  ?  " 

"  I  only  wanted  to  remind  you,  for  I  do  not  know  what  the 
Grand  Marshal  .  ,  .  But  I  am  sure  it  Avill  be  something  of 
importance  .  .  and  your  behaviour  will  decide  about  our 
family ;  but  it  would  not  change  the  thing  itself.  .  .  .  The 
Emperor  does  not  know  what  opposition  means.  Opposition 
would  only  push  us  away  from  him.    ,  .   ." 

The  Chamberlain  winked  with  an  effort,  as  if  wishing  to  con- 
centrate all  his  attention. 

"  What  opposition  .''  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  263 

"  Ah  !  I  do  not  think  it  will  come  to  that.  I  trust  too  much 
to  your  experience  .  .  .  only^  at  all  events  ..." 

The  Princess  hesitated. 

"  I  do  not  know  how  to  say  it.  Well,  simply  a  burning  senti- 
ment took  hold  of  him  !  " 

"Of  whom?" 

«  Of  the  Emperor  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  rubbed  his  forehead  uneasily,  not  being  able 
to  connect  the  Grand  Marshal's  visit  with  the  Emperor's  senti- 
ment and  his  family's  career.  Suddenly  red  spots  appeared  on 
his  yellow  face ;  his  thin  bony  hand  began  to  tug  violently  at 
his  dressing-gown. 

"  I  am  sure  you  have  noticed  it  yourself,"  said  the  Princess, 
striving  to  be  calm.  "  It  happened  so  suddenly.  Even  those 
who  surround  the  Emperor  do  not  think  it  will  bring  any  serious 
results." 

The  Chamberlain  muttered  significantly,  and  laughed  a 
frightful  hoarse  laugh. 

The  Princess  became  sincerely  sorrowful,  not  knowing 
whether  she  should  continue  her  persuasions  or  openly  tell 
him  everything. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  Chamberlain  laughed  continually, 
tugging  more  and  more  violently  at  his  dressing-gown,  and 
winking  at  his  sister. 

"  One  must  think  it  over." 

The  Chamberlain  bent  and  laughed  still  more. 

"  I  see  you  trifle  with  the  thing  .  .  .  although  ..." 

The  valet  who  entered  the  room  did  not  permit  the  Princess 
to  finish  her  sentence. 

Baptiste  handed  a  visiting-card  to  the  Chamberlain  on 
a  tray. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  the  card,  crumpled  it  in  his 
trembling  fingers,  and  threw  it  on  the  floor. 

''What  shall  I  answer?"  asked  the  valet  witli  marked 
surprise. 

The  Chamberlain  pointed  to  the  door. 

The  Princess  picked  up  the  card,  read  the  name,  and  said 
impetuously  to  her  brother :  "  Anastazy,  consider  the  Grand 
Marshal  of  the  Court !     There  is  no  doubt  that  he  came  with 


264  NAPOLEOxN'S  LOVE   STORY 

the  diploma.  .  .  .  Baptiste,  introduce  the  Prince  to  the  white 
drawing-room." 

Baptiste  went  out. 

The  Chamberlain  breathed  heaxdly. 

The  Princess  did  not  stop  her  persuasions.  She  depicted  to 
him  in  the  most  glaring  colours  the  Emperor's  power ;  she  tried 
to  fire  the  Chamberlain's  ambition,  laying  stress  on  the  fact  that 
opportunity  would  now  be  his  to  use  as  he  would,  and  finally  she 
advised  him  to  consider  the  situation  before  taking  a  decision. 

The  last  argument  acted  on  the  Chamberlain.  He  rose,  rang 
for  a  lackey,  hastily  put  on  a  swallow-tail  coat,  and  went  to  the 
Prince  of  Friul. 

Princess  Jabłonowska  breathed  more  easily,  and,  having 
told  Baptiste  to  let  her  know  as  soon  as  the  Grand  Marshal's 
visit  was  over,  she  went  to  Pani  Walewska's  apartment.  Here, 
having  called  a  chambermaid,  she  ordered  the  Chamberlain's 
wife's  things  to  be  packed  at  once,  and  given  to  the  footman 
waitmg  at  the  portico.  Having  done  this,  the  Princess  re- 
turned to  her  brother's  study  and  began  to  write  letters. 

One  hour  passed  before  the  Chamberlain's  quiet,  tottering 
steps  were  heard. 

The  Princess  shivered,  and  tried  to  concentrate  all  her 
presence  of  mind  in  order  to  endure  the  expected  attack,  and 
by  doing  so  to  fulfil  what  she  considered  to  be  her  duty.  She 
put  a  handkerchief  imbued  with  a  strong  perfume  to  her  mouth, 
leaned  on  the  writing-desk,  and  waited — waited  with  that 
emotion  which,  in  the  critical  moments  of  life,  leaves  only  the 
conviction  that  one  is  right. 

The  Chamberlain  walked  swiftly,  trotting  along  with  an 
animation  unusual  to  him,  pressing  imder  his  arms  some  rolls  of 
paper.  His  wig  was  pushed  on  one  side,  the  frills  of  his  shirt 
were  crumpled,  the  collar  of  his  dress  was  awkwardly  uplifted  on 
account  of  a  red  riband  hanging  on  his  neck. 

Ha\dng  perceived  his  sister,  the  Chamberlain  stopped,  handed 
her  the  roll  of  paper,  and  said  :  "  Read  it !  See,  and  be  con- 
vinced." 

The  Princess  unrolled  the  paper,  but  the  Chamberlain  did 
not  give  her  a  chance  to  read  it.  He  lifted  himself  on  his  tip- 
toes, and  passing  his  hand  over  the  red  riband,  which  only  now 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  265 

could  be  seen  entirely,  said :  "  Look  !  .  .  .  Do  you  see  ?  .  .  .  I 
am  a  commander  !  What  ?  Wybicki  will  wither  !  .  .  .  Mała- 
chowski will  be  drowned  in  his  bile  !  " 

The  Princess,  seeing  such  a  change  in  her  brother,  altered  her 
tactics  at  once. 

"  Ah  !  mon  cher !  I  congratulate  you  heartily.  You  could 
hardly  believe  how  proud  and  how  pleased  I  am  to  see  you 
commander  of  the  Legion  ! " 

"  You  think  this  is  all !  Read  the  documents.  Half  a  million 
donation,  and  I  am  free  from  furnishmg  recruits  to  the  army 
and  from  having  soldiers  billeted  on  me  for  the  period  of  twenty 
years." 

''  You  have  deserved  it  all !  " 

"  And  this  is  only  a  beginning  !  They  wish  to  win  me  by  all 
means.     But  the  riband !     Eh  .'' " 

"  Magnificent ! " 

"  It  is  becoming  !     Eh  ?  " 

"  I  had  a  presentiment !  And  you  were  reluctant !  I  was 
persuaded  that  the  Court  had  the  best  intentions.  Permit  me 
to  congratulate  you  once  more  !  I  am  awfully  glad !  If  you 
need  any  further  news,  send  for  it  to  me." 

"  Are  you  going  ?  " 

"  I  must  go  to  Vauban  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  became  gloomy  suddenly. 

"  Shall  you  see  her  }  " 

"  I  am  going  for  that  purpose.  I  wish  to  tell  her  the  news.  I 
am  sure  she  will  be  glad.  Oh !  .  .  .  Yes,  my  dear,  she  wishes 
you  v.'ell." 

"Who?"  asked  the  Chamberlain  sourly. 

"  Vauban ! " 

"  I  am  not  talking  about  her." 

The  Princess  turned  her  head. 

"  I  am  sure  you  do  not  doubt  about  Mary." 

The  Chamberlain  stared  at  the  riband. 

"  Not  at  all.  But  she  must  return  !  I  shall  send  her  to 
Walewice  ! " 

The  Princess  looked  with  alarm  at  her  brother. 

"  But  only  think  !  Send  Mary  to  Walewice  !  I  thought  the 
Marshal  had  explained  the  position  to  you .''  " 


266  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

''  She  must  return  at  once ! "  said  the  Chamberlain  with 
increasing  irritation.  "  She  must  return,  first  of  all ;  we  shall 
see,  afterwards." 

"  I  am  afraid  she  cannot,  on  account  of  her  health.  She  is  not 
well." 

"  No  matter.  Wrap  her  up  carefully,  put  her  in  a  carriage, 
and  bring  her  here.  Such  is  my  wish.  1  shall  not  trouble  her 
about  what  has  happened,  but  now  I  demand  obedience  from 
her.  Tell  her  that  the  situation  has  changed !  I  do  not  need 
them ;  they  need  me.     Her  help  is  superfuous  ! " 

The  Princess  could  hai-dly  believe  her  ears. 

"^^  Anastazy,  you  forget  the  Emperor's  sentiment." 

The  Chamberlain  pointed  proudly  at  the  riband. 

"That  might  be  taken  into  consideration  if  I  had  not  this 
proof.  She  will  be  in  my  way.  I  do  not  wish  her  to  mix  in 
politics.  I  shall  send  her  to  Walewice,  and  I  shall  not  render 
an  account  to  anybody  for  that." 

The  Princess  suddenly  lost  all  her  assurance  in  presence  of 
such  an  unexpected  turn.  She  said  a  few  commonplace  words 
and  departed. 

The  Chamberlain,  after  that  decisive  conversation,  became 
calm.  He  rang  for  Baptiste,  put  on  a  new  dark  green  swallow- 
tail coat,  and  began  very  seriously  to  consider  how  he  could 
wear  the  two  ribands.  It  was  a  difficult  task  according  to 
the  Chamberlain's  refined  taste,  for  the  riband  of  the  White 
Eagle  was  blue,  and  that  of  the  Legion  red,  and  neither  should 
cover  the  other,  nor  should  one  be  niore  visible  than  the  other ; 
they  should  both  equally  adoi'n  the  breast  and  arouse  respect. 
After  a  long  trial,  the  Chamberlain  decided  to  put  the  two  stars 
on  the  coat  and  the  two  ribands  aci'oss  the  frills  and  the  waist- 
coat. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  himself  several  times  in  the 
mirror,  and  when  Baptiste  assured  him  solemnly  that  the 
ribands  harmonised,  he  busied  himself  with  a  more  important 
affair — with  the  uniform  of  a  Chamberlain.  According  to  Court 
etiquette,  the  Chamber.ain  was  obliged  to  return  thanks  for  the 
honour  on  the  next  day  .  .  .  and  there  was  nobody  who  could 
make  the  uniform.  The  Chamberlain  had  already  a  general 
idea  of  it ;  he  knew  that  it  would  be  a  tunic  of  red  silk  with 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  267 

silver  embroideries,  with  a  silver  key  on  the  right  pocket ;  a 
white  vest,  breeches  of  the  same  colour,  stockings,  and  a  three- 
cornered  hat  composed  the  rest  of  the  dress,  but  he  understood 
that  without  an  engraving  nobody  in  Warsaw  could  make  it  for 
him. 

Baptiste,  however,  found  means  to  overcome  the  difficulty, 
and  proposed  to  go  to  the  Castle  and  find  the  Court  tailor — 
a  Frenchman — and  bring  him  to  the  Chamberlain's  mansion. 
The  Chamberlain  sent  his  valet  at  once  on  the  errand,  ordering 
him  in  the  meanwhile  to  go  to  Blacha  Palace,  and  to  tell  his 
wife  that  in  the  afternoon  a  carriage  with  Dr.  Wójcicki  should 
be  sent  for  her.     A  lackey  was  despatched  for  the  physician. 

Having  remained  alone,  the  Chamberlain  took  a  pinch  of 
snufF,  shook  his  fingers  and  trotted  to  the  mirror,  in  which  he 
looked  with  satisfaction,  for  he  found  that  the  red  riband  was 
toned  down  by  the  blue  of  the  White  Eagle,  and  that  the  two 
already  made  him  look  like  a  senator. 

The  Chamberlain  cleared  his  throat,  rose  on  his  tiptoes, 
came  nearer  the  mirror,  then  he  retreated,  looked  at  himself 
from  both  sides ;  then  he  tried  whether  it  would  be  becoming 
to  him  to  put  the  left  hand  under  the  riband,  while  the  right 
hand,  holding  the  snuff-box,  was  dropped  ;  then  putting  forward 
the  left  leg,  he  remained  majestically  quiet,  being  satisfied 
that  such  a  pose  would  be  proper  for  the  audiences  and  for  the 
receptions  of  important  persons. 

While  the  Chamberlain  was  contemplating  himself,  he  sud- 
denly perceived  in  the  mirror  a  big  red  face  smiling  cunningly. 

The  Chamberlain  made  a  movement  of  impatience,  and  in 
the  meanwhile  a  voice  very  well  known  to  him  was  heard. 

"  Your  most  humble  servant,  sir  !  I  dare  to  present  you  my 
due  congratulations." 

"Ah,  Bolesha!" 

"  The  same !  Always  with  unchanged  respect,  parole  d'honneur  ! 
A  little  while  ago  I  learned  about  the  great  honour  that  has 
befallen  you,  and  I  find  that  it  was  granted  to  the  most  wortliy 
person.   .  .  ." 

"  Thank  you,  Bolesha.  Pray  be  seated.  Would  you  care  for 
some  wine  ?  " 

Bolesha  half  closed  his  small,  swollen  eyes. 


268  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  would  not  dare  to  trouble  you,  although  I  should  be  dis- 
posed to  correct  my  opmion  about  your  wine-cellar — or  at  least, 
to  forget  the  headache  caused  by  the  wine  I  drank  here  last 
time." 

The  Chamberlain  laughed  and  rang  for  a  lackey,  and  wheo 
he  brought  a  crusted  bottle.  Pan  Walewski  said  jokingly:  "I 
hope  this  will  put  you  in  a  good  humour." 

"  Your  health  !  H'm  !  Parole  d'honneiir  !  it  does  honour  to 
the  riband." 

*'  Ah  !  you  have  already  learned  that  I  am  a  commander  }  " 

"  Of  course,  and  about  the  donation,  too !  My  hearty  con- 
gratulations !  you  who  sacrificed  so  much,  parole  d'honneur  !" 

"  Yes,  yes  !  "  muttered  the  Chamberlain,  looking  suspiciously 
at  Bolesha.     "Then  they  are  already  talking  in  the  town.''" 

"  Very  much  indeed !  Coming  here,  I  doubted  if  I  could 
make  my  way  through  the  crowds  of  guests.  Excellent  wine, 
exquisite  !  It  has  a  boinpiet  I  Ten  years  more,  pajvle  d'honneur, 
and  it  will  be  simply  delicious !  I  thought  I  could  not  make 
my  way." 

"  I  do  not  receive  anybody  !  " 

"  And  you  are  right — crowd,  flatteries,  jealousy,  empty 
words,  and  lack  of  .  .  .  what  you  call  it.''  ah,  yes!  .  .  .  heart! 
I  approve  that  sohtude.  In  such  a  moment  to  empty  a  bottle 
of  ^;e^ż/  vin,  that  is  quite  different !  And  then,  why  should  they 
hasten  with  congratulations.''  They  are  busy  with  other 
things.  ..." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Well,  from  early  this  morning  a  shower  of  honours  fell 
from  the  Castle  on  Warsaw." 

"  Was  anybody  appointed  commander  ?  " 

Bolesha  moved  his  shoulders  negligently. 

"  No,  I  have  not  heard  about  another  commander." 

"  About  what  honours  are  you  talking  ?  " 

"  Then  you  do  not  know  about  the  new  body  of  govern- 
ment.'' " 

The  Chamberlain  made  an  uneasy  movement. 

"  What  body  ?  " 

"  Well,  Pan  Joseph  Wybicki,  with  several  others,  constitute 
our  present  Government." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  269 

"  It  cannot  be  !  Gossip  !  I  do  not  know  anything  about  it. 
The  Marshal  did  not  say  one  word  to-day  .  .  ." 

"  I  wonder,  for  everyone  knows  it.  For  a  week  they  were 
preparing  that  in  M.  Talleyrand's  kitchen ;  to-day  they  simply 
announced  the  result.  We,  by  grace  of  Bonaparte,  Wybicki 
first ! " 

"  Leave  off  joking,  and  tell  me  the  truth  !  I  must  know  it ! 
Perhaps  there  is  yet  time.  I  am  going  to  the  Castle.  I  shall 
explain  the  matter.  I  shall  ask  for  the  revocation  of  the  deci- 
sion !  I  shall  move  heaven  and  earth,  for  there  is  an  intrigue 
in  all  that !  They  circumvented  me ;  they  plotted  without  my 
knowledge — perhaps  they  used  my  name  !  I  am  sure  they  did ! 
Speak,  then  !     Why  do  you  not  speak  ?  " 

Bolesha  caressed  his  broad  chin,  took  a  draught  of  wine,  and 
said  coolly  :  "  There  is  nothing  to  be  said  !  There  is  a  commis- 
sion divided  into  six  departments  ! " 

"But  I  shall  protest  ...  I  shall  not  accept  the  office.  I 
wish  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  such  people  as  Wybicki." 

"  H'm  !  H'm  ! "  Bolesha  cleared  his  throat  gravely.  "I 
understand  that  it  is  why  they  spared  you  fatigue." 

"  Then  who  is  there — who .'' "  inquired  the  Chamberlain  in  a 
trembling  voice. 

"  Well,  first  of  all,  the  luminary  of  the  republic.  Pan  Joseph 
Wybicki,"  said  Bolesha  with  a  comical  gravity. 

«  Who  else  ? " 

"  Pan  Ludwik  Gutakowski,  for  nothing  can  happen  without 
him  ;  Stanislaus  Count  Potocki ;  the  small  brother  of  the  great 
Ignacy,  Piotr  Bieliński,  and  Dzialynski ;  and  over  them  that 
pearl  of  pearls,  Małachowski." 

"  It  cannot  be,  it  cannot  be ! "  whispered  the  Chamberlain 
with  an  effort. 

"  Unfortunately  it  is  !  To-night  there  will  be  a  gala  thanks- 
giving performance  in  the  theatre.  The  Emperor  promised  to 
come  with  all  his  splendour.  Only  in  the  Blacha  Palace  every- 
thing is  gloomy,  for  Pepi  did  not  even  get  a  riband.  .  .  ." 

Bolesha  looked  at  the  Chamberlain,  and  suddenly  stopped. 

"  Perhaps  you  do  not  care .''  .  .  ." 

"  Speak,  speak !  I  wish  to  know  .  .  ."  mumbled  the  Cham- 
berlain. 


270  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Well,  there  is  not  much  more  !  For  one  day  it  is  quite 
enough  !  There  is  a  great  commotion  in  town ;  new  dignitaries 
are  visiting  each  other,  bowing  to  the  Imperial  valet,  and  pro- 
jnising  mountains  of  gold  to  their  friends.  ...  As  for  you,  you 
have  got  some  consolation,  parole  d'honneur,  for  the  new  officials 
might  be  cleared  out  by  the  Prussians,  while  the  riband  and 
half  a  million  will  remain  if  Bonajiarte's  majesty  is  not  killed 
somewhere  ! " 

Bolesha  burst  into  laughter,  pleased  with  his  own  joke. 

The  Chamberlain  was  silent,  looking  thoughtlessly  into  space. 

Bolesha  did  not  like  that  silence.  He  emptied  another  glass, 
made  a  grimace,  and  having  closed  his  eyes,  said :  "  Well,  you 
can  say  what  you  please,  but  we  must  say  to  ourselves  that  all 
is  over  with  us.  Yes,  Jiiiis  !  We  had  our  times  !  Good  times, 
too.  Do  you  remember  when  you  took  possession  of  the  estate 
of  Warec  ?  The  servants  had  better  wine  there  than  I  to-day, 
although,  pajvle  d'honneur,  it  would  be  proper  to  honour  the 
riband." 

The  Chamberlain  spat  with  disgust. 

"  I  do  not  want  any  riband  I  " 

Bolesha  laughed. 

"  But  as  they  have  given  it,  one  must  keep  it.  Parole 
d'honneur,  one  must !  " 

The  Chamberlain  trembled,  seized  the  red  riband  and  threw 
it  on  the  floor. 

"  I  do  not  want  it.  Walewski  can  live  without  that  .  .  .  that 
.  .  .  impostor !  Do  you  imderstand  ?  If  he  prefers  Dom- 
browski's  and  Malachowski's  partisans,  let  him  hold  with  them. 
Colonna  Walewski  has  not  yet  fallen  so  low  as  to  seek  his  favours. 
A  donation  to  me  !  Let  him  keep  it.  Yes !  Where  is  the 
document  ?     Here  is  my  answer." 

He  rushed  to  the  desk  on  which  were  the  diplomas,  and 
began  to  tear  them  to  pieces  and  trample  on  them. 

"  There  is  the  proper  place  for  Napoleon's  favours.  People 
like  him  to  dare  to  give  diplomas,  while  he  himself  could  not 
prove  that  he  is  a  nobleman  !  .  .  .  Enough  of  him  !  I  shall  not 
let  him  into  my  anteroom." 

"  Why  so  hasty.''"  tranquillised  Bolesha.  "The  little  donation  is 
not  to  be  despised,  and  with  Mme.  la  Chambellane's  industry  .  .  ." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  271 

The  Chamberlain  rang  the  bell  furiously.  Two  lackeys  rushed 
into  the  room. 

"  Send  a  carriage  at  once  to  Blacha  Palace.  Bring  her  lady- 
ship. Tell  her  I  demand  it.  Find  Baptiste.  Water !  Go  at 
once  ! " 

The  lackeys  disappeared.  The  Chamberlain  fell  into  an  arm- 
chair^ coughing. 

Bolesha  moved  his  head  significantly. 

"Fire  I  Thunderbolt  I  My  dear  Chamherlain, parole  cT/iofuieur, 
excuse  my  familiarity,  but  we  have  known  each  other  for  about 
half  a  century.  Why  so  ^'iolent  ?  Well,  it  seems  you  care  so 
much  for  that  little  Napoleon.  The  best  way  is  to  be  indifferent, 
as  I  am." 

"  I  do  not  care.  My  wife  will  be  back,  and  .  .  .  to-day, 
immediately  ...  I  ana  going." 

"  In-deed  .■'     And  where,  if  you  please  ?  " 

"To  Walewice,  and  then  to  Viemia ;  to  St.  Petersburg — any- 
where !  .  .  ." 

"  As  you  please  ;  but  I  should  consider — I  should  wait.  ,      ." 

"You  digest  very  easily." 

"Perhaps.     The  best  proof  is  that  I  drink  your  Avine." 

"  Pray  do  not  mind  my  irritation.  Will  you  look  out  of  the 
window  and  see  if  the  carriage  is  gone  ł  " 

Bolesha  glanced  into  the  street  and  said  with  indifference : 
"  It  is  even  coming  back  .already." 

"  So  quickly  ?     Impossible  !  " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  it  is  already  here ;  but  it  seems  the  lady  has  not 
come." 

The  Chamberlain  turned  to  the  door,  in  which  a  lackey 
appeared. 

"Where  is  her  ladyship  .''  " 

"They  said  .  .   ." 

"  Have  you  been  to  the  Palace  .'' " 

"  Yes,  my  lord." 

"  Did  you  tell  her  ladyship  ?  " 

"  They  did  not  let  me.  The  Countess's  valet  told  me  that  her 
ladyship  cannot  come." 

"  What  ?  Cannot  ?  Give  me  my  fur.  Where  is  Baptiste  ? 
I  am  going.     My  fur  !  " 


272  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

The  Chamberlain^  trembling  and  tottering,  rose  fi-om  the 
ax-mchair  and  went  to  the  door.     Bolesha  barred  the  way. 

"Permit  me.     Parole  d'honneur,  is  it  worth  while  ?" 

"  I  must !     I  must !     It  is  too  much." 

"  H'm  !  it  may  be/'  said  Bolesha  drily,  standing  at  the  door  ; 
'^but  you  shall  not  go." 

"  Have  you  become  a  madman  .''  " 

"  For  .  .  .  they  will  not  let  you  into  the  Blacha  Palace." 

"  Who  will  not  let  me  in  }  " 

"Well,  even  I.     You  are  excited,  and  your  wife  is  not  well." 

"  And  is  it  any  concern  of  yours  ?  " 

"  Not  altogether ;  but  as  I  am  anxious  to  drink  another 
bottle,  a  better  one,  therefore  the  duty  of  a  host  . 

The  Chamberlain  looked  stupidly  on  Bolesha's  impudently 
smiling  face. 

"  You  are  crazy  ..." 

"We  will  speak  about  that  later  on.  And  now,  parole 
d'honneur,  be  seated,  otherwise  I  shall  be  obliged  to  be  im- 
polite." 

The  Chamberlain  stretched  out  his  arm  to  the  bell,  but 
Bolesha  anticipated  him. 

"  Permit  me  .   .  .  shall  I  ring  once  more  ?  " 

The  Chamberlain  had  not  time  to  reply,  for  four  Imperial 
gendarmes  appeared  in  the  room. 

"  How  do  you  like  that  ?  Well,  before  all,  I  have  the  honour 
to  inform  you  that  I  am  here  in  the  capacity  of  an  official. 
Then  I  dare  to  warn  you  that  I  have  an  order  to  keep  you  in 
your  house." 

"  Bolesha,  I  shall  order  .  .  ." 

"Be  seated,"  muttered  the  Chamberlain's  former  companion, 
brutally  pushing  him  towards  a  chair.  "  So ;  sit  down  and 
listen,  remembering  that  for  you  I  am  Chevalier  de  Bolesha,  that 
I  have  been  a  chamberlain  like  you,  although  I  have  not 
gathered  as  much  money  as  you  did,  for  I  never  offered  my 
guests  such  bad  wine  as  you  do,  juvole  d'lwnneur  !  Do  not  sniff, 
do  not  gnash  your  teeth — for  there  are  not  so  many  of  them 
left — and  accommodate  yourself.  Do  not  think  of  any  scenes, 
for  your  wife  has  no  time.  Do  you  see  those  strapping  fellows .'' 
I  have  two  score  like  that  under  my  command.     Do  you  wish 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  27S 

to  listen  to  my  advice  ?  Ask  foi-  a  divorce — be  galant,  parole 
d'houneur  !  " 

The  Chamberlain  trembled  in  his  armchair,  breathing  with 
difficulty. 

Bolesha  rose  slowly,  sent  away  the  gendarmes,  called  a 
lackey,  and  ordered  a  glass  of  water ;  then  he  said  quietly — 

"  Are  you  better  now  ?  If  you  are  going  to  be  reasonable, 
then  I  will  explain  to  you.     Eh  ?  " 

The  Chamberlain  nodded  with  an  effort. 

"  Very  well,  for  Bolesha  is  not  a  miu-derer.  I  do  not  wish  to 
wrong  you,  parole  d'honneur,  but  to  help  you.  Only  you  do  not 
understand  my  kindness  and  your  own  good.  Speaking  shortly, 
the  Emperor  is  madly  in  love  with  your  wife.  Therefore,  you 
cannot  make  war  with  him.  Take  what  he  gives,  ask  for  more, 
and  treat  Bolesha  to  an  honest  bottle." 

"  I  do  not  wish  for  anything  !  " 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  and  where  is  your  common  sense  ?  Well,  you  are 
sorry  to  lose  such  a  wife  !  I  do  not  contradict.  But  it  could 
not  be  otherwise.  Do  you  remember  your  frolics .''  And  that 
Italian  girl,  Chiarini,  from  the  circus,  and  Pani  Szwejkowska, 
and  Małgosia  Sitko !  I  shall  not  name  the  others,  for  I  am  not 
a  register ;  only  I  come  to  the  conclusion  that  now  your  turn 
has  come.  You  wanted  a  young  wife.  Well,  sic  transit,  parole 
d'honneur!  Bless  the  fate  that  sent  you  such  an  adorer,  and  make 
terms  with  him.  It  is  done  !  And  there  is  nothing  bad,  parole 
d'honneur,  in  all  that.  You  had  only  bother  with  your  wife. 
You  will  become  quiet,  and  all  is  over.  There  is  the  whole 
truth  ! " 

"  Scoundrels ! " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  parole  d'honneur,  it  will  do  you  good." 

"  I  will  not  permit  myself  to  be  divorced.  I  shall  put  her 
into  a  convent." 

"  My  dear  sir,  you  have  abeady  done  so ;  you  have  signed  a 
consent  for  divorce." 

« I—I  ?  " 

"Parole  d'honneur,  I  have  seen  it." 

«  It  is  false  !  " 

"  Another  argument.  You  have  forgotten  how  those  things 
are  done.  They  have  your  consent  and  your  signature  as  well 
T 


274  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

as  your  wife's.  The  papers  will  be  sent  to  the  right  place,  and 
—^nis  !  I  am  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  explain  all  tJiat  to  you. 
Parole  d'honiieur,  if  anybody  had  told  me  that  I  should  become 
your  nurse,  I  should  have  challenged  him.  Well,  well !  I  shall 
be  all  right  here,  for  there  is  some  wine  in  your  cellar,  and  I 
understand  you  brought  your  chef  from  Walewice." 

The  Chamberlain's  face  became  green  like  that  of  a  corpse. 

"  Bolesha,"  said  he  quietly,  "  send  for  Ksawery ;  I  am  going 
to  Walewice  to-day.  I  do  not  wish  to  know  about  anything.  .  .  . 
Ungrateful !  I  have  reared  a  snake  !  I  shall  dictate  a  letter  to 
her ;  let  her  do  what  she  pleases.  ...  I  must  see  Ksawery.  .  .  ." 

"  H'm !  h'm !  It  will  be  difficult.  I  do  not  say  in  a  few 
days.  .  .  ." 

"  I  return  to-day  to  Walewice  !  " 

"  Why  should  you  hasten  ?  It  is  very  cold  now,  and  the  roads 
are  crowded  with  army  transports  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  pass." 

*'  I  return,"  persisted  the  Chamberlain  with  a  trembling 
voice.  "  I  have  nothing  to  do  here.  Send  me  Ksawery !  I 
shall  tell  him  what  to  do.  Bolesha,  do  you  hear  me .''  Remem- 
ber our  old  friendship.  I  must  return.  I  am  not  well.  I  do 
not  wish  to  hear  of  anybody.  They  have  deceived  me ;  you 
see  that — they  have  sent  me  you  here  ! " 

Bolesha  cleared  his  throat  with  a  comical  gravity,  and 
stretched  out  his  arm  with  a  snuff-box  to  the  Chamberlain. 

"  H'm  !  As  you  are  talking  so  nicely  .  .  ,  then  I  answer  as 
to  my  own  brother.  Pan  Ksawery  will  come  to  see  you  in  a 
few  days.  Now  he  has  no  time,  for  if  he  loses  an  opportunity, 
then,  parole  d'honneur,  he  will  not  be  able  to  catch  that  office 
after  which  he  is  hunting.     As  to  Walewice,  you  must  wait ! " 

"  Then  am  I  a  prisoner  }  I  am  going  alone.  I  shall  not  force 
anybody.  .  .  .  Even  should  she  return,  I  would  set  my  dogs  at 
her.     I  will  not  see  her  any  more  ! " 

His  voice  changed  into  an  ominous  hiss  ;  foam  covered  his 
mouth.     Bolesha  sighed. 

"  Hie  jacet  lepus  !  You  are  righteously  angry,  but  you  must 
remember  about  the  splendour  of  the  Roman  descent  of  your 
family ;  a  glorious  name  .  .  .  you  must  protect  it  from  evil 
tongues ;  you  must  preserve  appearances ;  you  must  not  injure 
decency.  .  .  ." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  275 

"  Wheat  ?  You  mercenary  wretch  .  .  .  you  will  dare  preach 
to  Colonna  Walewski  ?  "  shouted  the  Chamberlain,  rising. 

Bolesha  grunted  ironically. 

"  Certainly,  certainly  ;  parole  d'homieur  you  will  stay  here,  you 
will  get  Avell,  and  when  the  attack  of  madness  is  over  you  shall 
return  to  Walewice.  You  boast  that  you  know  all  about  the 
Court,  and  you  do  not  know  that  if  l' Empereur  deigned  to  bestow 
on  you  such  an  honour,  and  if  you  do  not  want  to  go  to  the 
Castle  to  thank  him  for  it,  then  you  cannot  show  yourself  in  the 
streets  with  your  boxes  to  delight  the  mob ;  you  can  only  wait 
discreetly,  and  when  the  time  comes  you  can  go.  For  the  sake 
of  safety  I  shall  conduct  you  myself." 

"  Scoundrel !  Scoundrel !  Hang  me  then  !  "  moaned  the 
Chamberlain  in  wrath. 

Bolesha  became  gloomy,  his  eyes  shone  like  fire.  He  called 
a  lackey  and  ordered  the  Chamberlain  to  be  taken  to  bed, 
threatening  to  call  in  gendarmes  if  his  will  were  not  carried 
out. 

The  Chamberlain  tried  to  resist.  He  called  his  servants  ;  then 
he  weakened,  and  wished  to  arrange  the  matter  with  Bolesha 
peacefully ;  then  again  he  was  furious.  He  swore  and  wanted 
to  get  rid  of  the  guardian  imposed  on  him. 

Bolesha,  however,  was  unmoved. 

Gendarmes  were  posted  at  all  the  doors,  and  without  Bolesha's 
permission  nobody  could  go  out  of  the  mansion. 

The  Chamberlain  was  cut  off  from  the  world.  The  guests 
that  would  come  from  time  to  time  were  received  by  Bolesha, 
and  were  sent  away  with  the  assurance  that  the  Chamberlain 
and  his  wife  were  either  at  Princess  Jablonowska's  or  Princess 
Radziwil's,  or  at  M.  Talleyrand's  reception. 

The  guests  would  look  at  Bolesha  doubtfully,  would  ask  him 
to  express  their  compliments  and  the  assurance  of  the  most 
hearty  regard,  and  would  go  away  smiling. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  Chamberlain  had  a  fever,  which 
slackened  towards  evening.  This  was  followed  by  an  absolute 
torpor.  He  was  stubbornly  silent ;  he  did  not  complain  of  any 
ailment ;  his  silence  was  in  harmony  with  the  tranquillity  that 
reigned  supreme  in  the  mansion,  hardly  disturbed  by  the 
servants'  whispering,  by  the  measured  steps  of  the  guards,  and 


276  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

the  quiet  laughter  of  Bolesha,  who  was  enjoying  himself  in 
drinking. 

While  the  Walewski  mansion  was  quiet,  dark,  and  deserted, 
Mme.  de  Vauban's  apartment  in  the  Blacha  Palace  was  cx'owded, 
brilliant  and  full  of  animation  ;  Mme.  de  Vauban's  drawing- 
rooms  were  thronged  with  guests.  Fryne  Czosnowska,  together 
with  Countess  Moszyńska,  were  doing  the  honours  of  the  house, 
entertaining  guests,  excusing  the  hostess,  who  appeared  only 
when  a  valet,  posted  at  the  entrance  to  the  further  apartment, 
told  her  that  some  one  of  importance  had  come. 

Then  Mme.  de  Vauban  would  come  with  long  steps,  would 
smile  gravely  and  speak  with  a  subdued,  mysterious  voice. 

The  topic  of  conversation  was  the  current  news  that  interested 
everyone,  but  in  spite  of  all  the  interesting  details  which  allowed 
of  so  many  suppositions,  commentaries,  and  deductions,  in  spite  of 
perennial  subjects  such  as  Napoleon's  decree  about  the  new 
Government,  the  dazzling  majesty  of  the  Emperor,  his  favours 
and  his  way  of  living,  the  conversation  in  Mme.  de  Vauban's 
drawing-rooms  would  often  break  off,  would  change  into  a 
whisper,  would  be  limited  to  eloquent  looks,  and  by  its  lack  of 
order  and  continuity  would  arouse  the  involuntary  supposition 
that  these  people  were  thinking  about  something  other  than 
what  they  were  talking  about. 

When  Mme.  de  Vauban  appeared,  the  ladies  would  sur- 
round her,  the  gentlemen  would  draw  nearer,  and  all  would 
hold  their  breath  as  soon  as  she  began  to  talk.  When  she 
ended  a  sentence  there  was  silence,  for  they  expected  that  she 
would  say  something  more. 

But  Mme.  de  Vauban  did  not  say  one  word  too  much, 
although  by  her  gestures,  by  the  expression  round  her  mouth, 
and  her  emphasis  on  certain  words,  she  made  them  understand 
that  she  had  some  great  secret  which  she  would  like  to  share 
with  everybody,  but  that  she  must  respect  its  sanctity. 

If,  however,  Mme.  de  Vauban  was  without  a  rival  in  her 
role  of  Sphinx,  Princess  Jabłonowska  excited  cui'iosity  even 
in  the  most  indifferent.  She,  like  Mme.  de  Vauban,  avoided 
conversation,  was  silent  at  questions,  and  hardly  answered  the 
courtesies  of  the  ladies  and  the  respectful  bows  of  the  gentle- 
men ;  but,  in  the  meanwhile,  she  knew  how  to  throw  out  some 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  277 

apparently  insignificant  words,  and  by  this  means  to  keep  up 
continual  expectation. 

From  time  to  time  Countess  Moszyńska,  who  tried  to  tone 
herself  up  to  her  friends  and  fulfil  the  duties  of  a  hostess  with 
a  dignity  corresponding  to  the  moment,  would  rush  to  the 
Princess  and  riddle  her  with  questions.  But  instead  of 
answers,  she  would  receive  only  the  pressure  of  a  hand  or  a 
warm  assurance. 

"  How  much  I  would  give  if  I  could  only  speak  ! " 

"I  understand;  but  I  think  that  with  me  .  .  ." 

"  I  have  no  secrets  ;  it  is  only  the  danger  of  emotion.  " 

"Then  Pani  Walewska  is  here  ?  " 

"  My  dearest,  she  is  where  she  would  not  dream  of  being ! " 

"  And  the  Emperor  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  seen  him  these  two  hours." 

"These  two  hours?"  whispered  Countess  Moszyńska  aston- 
ished ;  but  before  she  could  comprehend  the  importance  of 
such  an  answer,  the  Princess  disappeared  into  the  other  part 
of  the  apartments. 

Those  half  words  did  not  solve  the  riddle,  but  were  sufficient, 
however,  to  furnish  material  for  gossip  and  stories,  in  which 
the  principal  figures  were  Napoleon  and  Pani  Walewska,  while 
Gorayski,  the  Chamberlain,  Duroc,  Roustan,  and  Bassano  were 
secondary. 

Among  the  Frenchmen  there  were  some  who  could  throw 
some  light  on  the  Emperor's  intentions,  and  even  solve  the 
riddle ;  but  some  of  them,  like  Talleyrand,  avoided  questions ; 
others,  like  Bassano,  were  silent  when  any  one  made  an  allusion 
to  Pani  Walewska ;  still  others,  like  Duroc,  had  witty  subter- 
fuges at  their  disposition.  The  latter,  however,  was  threatened 
by  a  plot  made  by  Countess  Lubieńska,  Pani  Sobolewska,  and 
Anetka  Tyszkiewicz,  who  had  determined  to  attack  the  Marshal 
with  the  charm  of  their  extraordinary  beauty  and  exceedingly 
sharp  tongues.  And  before  Duroc  was  aware,  he  was  surrounded 
and  pushed  along  the  slippery  roads  of  conversation.  The 
Marshal  smiled,  answered,  avoided  all  allusions,  but,  notwith- 
standing all  his  ability,  he  did  not  rebuff  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz. 

"Marshal,"  said  Anetka  boldly,  "why  do  you  avoid  conversa- 
tion about  what  interests  us  so  much  }  " 


278  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

"I  .  .  .  avoid?"  answered  Duroc  freely.  "But  until  now 
you  did  not  say  anything  about  the  new  Government." 

"  Nor  do  I  wish  to  speak  about  it." 

"Then  you  think  .   .  ." 

"That  we  are  in  the  constellation  of  the  Louis,  and,  there- 
fore, among  rising  stars." 

"  I  have  no  ideas  about  astronomy  !  " 

"  But  you  do  not  deny  its  existence  ?  " 

"  I  state  only  my  ignorance." 

"  Even  if  I  were  to  lament  Mme.  Walewska's  absence  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Duroc  drily. 

"After  such  a  postive  answer  I  should  capitulate^  but  I  am 
not  like  the  Ulm  fortress  which,  as  it  seems,  surrendered 
yesterday  without  a  shot." 

"  The  Ulm  fortress  ? "  repeated  Duroc,  who  did  not  under- 
stand the  wickedness  of  the  joke. 

"Yes,  yes!"  assured  Anetka  with  comical  gravity.  "It 
surrendered  without  a  snot ;  hoisted  the  white  flag  at  the  first 
summons.  In  a  woi'd,  a  new  success.  It  is  a  wonder  that 
General  Gauvion  did  not  order  the  news  to  be  announced  by 
cannons.  Kostusia  Lubieńska  assures  that  it  was  due  to  the 
fear  that  the  Chamberlain  Walewski  has  not  only  the  Legion, 
but  also  a  fever,  and  that  cannon-shots  might  injure  his  health." 

Pani  Sobolowska  and  Countess  Lubieńska  burst  out  with 
laughter. 

Duroc  recovered  his  self-possession. 

"You  undei-rate  the  capacity  of  the  defence  of  the  fortress 
of  Ulm." 

"  I  mention  only  the  quickness  of  its  capitulation." 

"  Notwithstanding  our  superior  forces !  You  forget  that 
there  are  some  fortresses  that  would  like  to  have  an  opportunity 
of  surrendering.  But  in  vain,  for  nobody  pays  any  attention 
to  them." 

Anetka  became  red. 

"  You  meant  to  say  that  access  to  them  is  too  difficult." 

"  On  the  contrary.  But  while  an  extraordinary  general  is 
necessary  to  take  such  a  fortress  as  Ulm — M.  de  Flahaut,  let  us 
say — the  Prince  of  Berg's  aide-de-camp  could  manage  another 
fortress." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  279 

At  that  bold  turn  of  Duroc's  Anetka  became  confused  and 
lost  ground.  The  allusion  was  too  evident.  The  Marshal 
assumed  his  ordinary  affability  and  changed  the  subject  of 
conversation. 

Towards  the  evening  Mme.  de  Vauban's  guests  began  to  take 
leave  in  order  to  meet  again  in  a  few  hours  in  the  theatre, 
where  a  gala  performance  was  to  be  given. 

Mme.  de  Vauban  gave  instructions  to  Fryne  how  she  should 
act  during  her  absence^  and,  having  dressed,  left  the  palace. 

As  to  Fryne,  she,  having  given  the  servant  orders  about 
supper  for  Pani  Walewska,  quietly  entered  the  room  occupied 
by  the  Chamberlain's  wife. 

Quiet  and  darkness  which  Fryne  found  in  the  room  made 
her  timid.     She  looked  round  the  room,  and,  perceiving  Pani 
Walewska  sitting  in  an  armchair,  came  quietly  towards  her. 
"  Do  I  not  disturb  you  ?  " 
Pani  Walewska  shivei'ed. 

"  Who  is  there .''  A  ...  it  is  you  !  .  .  .  I  did  not  recognise 
you." 

"  How  happy  I  am  that  I  can  be  with  you.  Will  you  permit 
me  to  stay?" 

Pani  Walewska  nodded. 

"Thank  you  so  much.     I  am   so  happy.     But  why  are  you 
so  sad?     Ah  !  ...  if  I  were  in  your  place  !  .  .  ." 
"So  you  think." 

"  I  am  sure.  Only  to  think  !  Ah  !  no  one  speaks  of  anything 
but  you ;  and  then  they  are  afraid  whether  you  will  be  kind  to 
them,  whether  you  will  honour  them  with  a  smile.  Upon  my 
word  !     But  you  are  not  angry  with  me  ?  " 

"  No,  I  am  not ;  but  you  must  not  talk  like  that  to  me." 
Fryne,  however,  could  not  refrain  from  prattling.  Pani 
Walewska  wished  to  avoid  her  indiscreet  questions  and  remarks, 
but  Fr3'ne,  notwithstanding  her  assurances  that  she  would  not 
dare  to  touch  upon  a  subject  disagreeable  to  Pani  Walewska, 
that  she  was  not  inquisitive,  would  constantly  return  to  the 
same  subject. 

Pani  Walewska  was  already  losing  her  patience,  when  Fryne's 
loquacity  was  interrupted  by  the  valet,  who  came  to  ask  whether 
he  should  bring  a  box  sent  to  Pani  Walewska. 


280  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska  consented,  thinking  that  her  husband  had 
sent  some  of  hei*  belongings. 

The  box  was  brought  and  put  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  and 
the  key  was  handed  to  Pani  Walewska  in  a  sealed  envelope. 

'^Pray,  be  so  kind,"  said  Pani  Walewska  to  Fryne,  "as  to 
open  the  box  ;  there  must  be  some  handkerchiefs." 

Fryne  tore  open  the  envelope,  did  not  notice  a  small  piece 
of  paper  that  fell  out  of  it,  went  to  the  box,  and  opened  it. 

"Thei'e  are  only  jewellery  boxes.     What  a  lovely  necklace  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  shrugged  her  shoulders,  thinking  that  her 
husband  had  sent  her  the  family  jewels. 

"  Leave  it.  What  an  idea  of  Anastazy's  !  The  handkerchiefs 
must  be  at  the  bottom." 

"No;  there  are  more  jewellery  boxes.   An  emerald  necklace!" 

"  You  must  be  mistaken  !  " 

"  There  is  a  ruby  necklace  and  a  pearl  necklace !  O  Lord ! 
what  riches  !     Earrings,  bracelets,  rings  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  rose  from  her  chair. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  you  }     It  cannot  be  !  " 

Fryne  did  not  hear,  and  continued  to  bring  out  other  costly 
things. 

"  What  a  big  diamond  in  that  ring  !  Topazes  !  Lovely  !  A 
mirror !  A  whole  gold  toilet  set !  I  never  saw  such  riches 
in  my  life  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  rose  and  came  to  the  box,  and  was  staggered 
by  the  dazzling  of  precious  stones,  gold,  and  silver. 

"Those  things  do  not  belong  to  me.  Where  did  they  come 
from .'' " 

'^  Magnificent !  beautiful !  superb  !  One  could  not  dream  of 
better  ones.  And  that  locket !  It  opens.  .  .  .  Look !  .  .  .  a 
miniature ! " 

"  Whose  ?     Let  me  see  it ! " 

"The  Emperor  !     How  beautiful  he  is  !     Look  ! " 

Pani  Walewska  glanced  at  the  miniature.  Fryne  did  not 
notice  her  confusion,  for  she  was  looking  with  ecstasy  and 
avidity  at  the  jewels,  screaming  with  delight  and  surprise. 

Pani  Walewska  was  silent. 

Fryne,  having  satisfied  her  curiosity,  clasped  her  hands  and 
said  with  naive  jealousy  :  "  O  Lord,  what  riches  you  have  !  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  281 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  sadly. 

"  You  are  a  big  baby.    Do  not  grieve,  for  all  that  is  not  mine." 

"  But  the  valet  said  ..." 

"  Impossible ! " 

"I  know — I  understand.  The  Emperor  sent  them  as  a 
present." 

"To  me  !  The  Emperor  ?  "  said  Pani  Walewska,  in  a  hollow 
voice,  feeling  that  Fryne's  words  confirmed  her  own  suspicions. 

"  For  certain,"  continued  Fryne,  and  having  noticed  on  the 
floor  the  small  piece  of  paper,  read  it,  and  cried  triumphantly, 
"  I  have  a  proof !  read  it :  'To  the  best  among  the  most 
beautiful.     This  is  sent  by  her  devoted  N.'  " 

"It  cannot  be." 

"  But  yes,  yes,  dear  Madame  !  Let  me  kiss  you !  How  happy 
you  must  be!" 

Pani  Walewska  got  rid  of  Frjntie's  embraces,  and  returned 
with  tottering  steps  to  her  chair,  while  Fryne  continued  her 
raptures  over  the  jewels. 

The  entrance  of  Mme.  de  Vauban's  valet  did  not  disturb 
Fryne.  The  valet  waited  at  the  door,  and  not  having  heard 
the  question  on  what  errand  he  came,  he  went  to  Fryne  and 
announced  solemnly  :  "His  Excellency  the  Speaker  Małachowski 
wishes  to  see  her  ladyship,  Pani  Walewska." 

"Ah!     What.''     Very  well,"  said  Fryne. 

"Shall  I  show  him  in.^*" 

"Yes.     Why  not?" 

The  valet  went  away.  Fryne  suddenly  became  thoughtful, 
and  came  to  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Małachowski  was  announced  ;  perhaps  I  was  v/rong.  Vauban 
told  me  not  to  let  anybody  in." 

"  Who .''"  asked  Pani  Walewska,  as  if  waked  up  from  a  slumber. 

"  Małachowski — the  Speaker.     He  wishes  to  see  you." 

"  I  must  be  excused.  I  cannot,  not  for  anything.  I  do  not 
wish  to  see  anybody." 

"Then  I  must  excuse  you." 

Fryne  was  rushing  to  the  door  to  call  a  lackey,  when  Mała- 
chowski appeared  at  it. 

"  You  must  excuse,  sir  ;  Pani  Walewska  cannot  ,   .  .  " 

Małachowski  hardly  nodded  to  Fryne. 


282  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

Pani  Walewska  rose.     Fryne  tried  to  save  the  situation. 

"  Pani  Walewska  is  not  well — the  valet  made  a  mistake.  .  .  ." 

"I  shall  not  fatigue  you  with  a  long  conversation,"  said 
Małachowski,  turning  to  Pani  Walewska,  who  nodded  affirma- 
tively.    Fryne  went  out. 

Małachowski  seated  himself  opposite  Pani  Walewska  and  said 
gravely :  "  Pray  excuse  my  intrusion,  but  at  this  important 
moment  we  cannot  stand  on  ceremony.  From  early  this  morn- 
ing I  have  been  Avishing  to  see  you,  and  the  news  that  is  going 
about  increased  my  impatience.  But  they  did  not  let  me  in, 
and  if  it  were  not  for  Poniatowski  I  should  not  have  been  able 
to  be  here.  You  are  acting  very  wisely.  It  is  better  to  avoid 
the  crowd." 

The  Speaker  became  silent,  as  if  waiting  for  a  reply.  His 
large  grey  eyes,  full  of  good  feeling,  were  turned  on  Pant 
Walewska,  who  was  sitting  motionless  looking  into  space. 

"  I  came  hoping  that  you  have  something  to  tell  me.  And 
perhaps  it  is  all  gossip  ?  Perhaps  you  did  not  go  yesterday .'' 
You  have  not  seen  him  yet  ł " 

"I  have,"  Avhispered  Pani  Walewska. 

"  And  what  ?     Have  you  anything  to  tell  me  }  " 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  spasmodically. 

Małachowski  dropped  his  head. 

"  Do  not  wrongly  interpret  my  questioning  of  you,  but  it  is  a 
matter  of  the  greatest  importance  to  our  country.  We  are 
losing  ground  under  our  feet ;  we  do  not  know  what  this  new 
Government  means — hence  my  intrusion.  You  say  you  have 
seen  him  ?  H'm  !  It  is  a  very  important  circumstance.  How 
did  you  find  him  disposed  towards  you  ?     Was  he  pleased .'' " 

Pani  Walewska  suddenly  shook  off  the  stupor,  stretched  out 
her  arms  in  the  direction  of  the  boxes  glittering  with  jewels, 
and  said  with  an  outburst :  "  Look  there  !  Look  !  Do  you  think 
it  is  not  enough .''  " 

Małachowski  looked  in  the  direction  pointed  out  to  him  and 
grew  pale. 

"  Unusual  magnificence  !  But  you  must  not  tliink  of  it.  In 
our  calculations  it  is  a  proof  that  we  can  demand  still  greater 
sacrifices." 

"  You  think  so  ?  "  cried  Pani  Walewska  ironically. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  283 

Undoubtedly." 

"Then  learn  ...  I  went  to  the  Castle  ...  I  said  every- 
thing ...  I  fell  at  his  feet  when  he  was  promising  me  the  most 
splendid  future." 

"  And  he  ? " 

"He.''  Do  you  see  those  blue  marks — here,  on  my 
hands  .^  ...  Is  it  not  enough  .''  Must  I  display  my  whole  disgrace 
to  you  ?     And  that  magnificence^  does  it  not  satisfy  you.'' " 

Pani  Walewska  began  to  cry. 

"  Do  not  lose  your  courage.     Become  stronger." 

"  Enough,  sir !  I  am  not  made  for  your  plans.  Look  for 
another  woman.  I  am  burnt  by  my  disgrace.  You  have  stolen 
from  me  even  what  little  peace  I  had.  You  exposed  me  to 
opprobrium.  He  did  not  let  me  say  a  word.  He  insulted  me  ; 
and  you  dreamed  about  my  influence.  Why  did  you  push  me 
to  that .''     What  have  I  done  to  you  ?  " 

"  Your  reproaches  are  aAvful.  God  is  my  witness  that  I  acted 
against  my  own  conscience,  that  I  was  ashamed  of  the  means. 
But  you  shall  be  avenged.  Bonaparte  has  shown  his  cards. 
Your  unsuccessful  enterprise  has  its  importance  ;  it  is  sad  and 
gloomy,  but  great.  I  promise  to  avenge  jou.  Napoleon  has 
calculated  badly.  We  shall  resist  the  French  wave— we  shall 
seek  help  elsewhere.  Yesterday  he  threw  a  gaimtlet  to 
you.  I  pick  it  up.  I  know  noAv  what  his  evasive  words  meant ; 
we  shall  not  try  any  more  to  guess  their  meaning." 

Pani  Walewska  wiped  her  tears.  The  Speaker's  steely  voice 
frightened  her.  She  neither  understood  exactly  the  meaning 
of  his  words  nor  the  hidden  threats,  but  she  felt  that  because  of 
her,  something  that  threatened  Napoleon — that  hero,  conqueror, 
warrior  of  her  dreams — would  happen. 

Pani  Walewska  was  frightened  at  that  thought,  not  knowing 
why.  The  Emperor  had  wronged  her  awfully ;  he  had  ruined 
her  peace,  her  dreams,  had  taken  her  honom*.  She  would 
avoid  him,  but  why  should  she  avenge  herself?  Had  she  had 
Mme.  de  Vauban's  experience,  had  she  had  courage,  had 
she  known  how  to  act,  who  knows,  perhaps  Napoleon  would  have 
been  different.  Everjrthing  was  against  her.  Even  that  meet- 
ing with  Ornano,  and  Constant,  and  even  that  guard — all 
seemed  to  have  conspired  to  make  her  lose  her  self-possession. 


284  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Those  thoughts  passed  quickly  through  Pani  Walewska's 
mind,  dried  up  tears,  and  prompted  her  to  protest. 

"What  is  done/'  she  said  to  Małachowski,  "cannot  be 
undone.  Forget  me.  My  hfe  was  very  unhappy  even  before. 
I  do  not  wish  to  be  a  cause  of  battle." 

Małachowski  was  surprised.     "  What  do  you  mean  ? " 

"I  beg  of  you  to  forget  me,  and  to  permit  me  to  forget. 
Such  is  my  lot.  Give  up  vengeance ;  do  not  pronounce  even 
my  name ;  let  me  return  to  oblivion.  Yes,  yes,  in  one 
hour  I  lived  years.  You  are  the  first  and  the  last  to  whom 
I  have  complained.  I  trust  to  your  honour  that  you  will  not 
repeat  it  to  anybody  else,  that  you  will  not  draw  any  conclusions 
from  my  words,  that  you  will  not  use  them  for  any  action ;  for 
I  am  feeble,  for  I  am  not  capable  even  of  expressing  myself 
well.     It  is  too  much  for  me — too  much  !  " 

"  You  are  mistaken.  I  would  not  dare  to  hurt  you ;  only 
what  you  have  told  me  convinces  me  .  .  ." 

"But  .  .  ." 

"  It  is  so,  undoubtedly.  Napoleon  did  not  want  to  promise 
anything,  even  to  you,  in  the  moment  when  he  felt  how  much 
he  could  please  you !  Is  a  better  argument  necessary  ? 
Napoleon  does  not  possess  that  amount  of  hypocrisy  which 
anybody  else  in  his  place  would  have.  And  we  and  Wybicki — 
thousands  of  us — dazzled  by  him,  wish  to  follow  him  !  We 
thought  that  he  would  share  his  thoughts  in  regard  to  our  coimtry 
with  you.  But  he  did  not  say  anything,  because  he  does  not 
intend  to  do  anything  for  us.  He  arouses  hopes,  and  then 
he  will  sell  us  in  a  treaty.  Do  you  think  that  it  is  agreeable 
for  me  to  come  to  such  a  conclusion .''  No,  no  !  I  would  prefer 
to  trust  Napoleon  !  " 

Małachowski  breathed  heavily, 

"  He  will  take  all  our  money,  the  last  piece  of  our  bread,  all 
our  men  fit  for  fighting,  and  he  will  leave  our  country  exhausted, 
hungry,  devoid  of  arms  capable  of  work.  We  must  stop  that ; 
we  must  defend  ourselves ;  and  in  that  defence  you  shall  be 
avenged  too ! " 

Małachowski  rose,  looked  at  tlie  clock,  and  added  :  "  I  must 
go  to  the  theatre.  Excuse  me  for  having  troubled  you.  Accept 
my  thanks  for  your  good  will  and  self-sacrifice." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  285 

Pani  Walewska  was  rubbing  her  forehead,  looking  in  a 
stupefied  way  at  the  Speaker. 

"  And  should  you  need  my  help  or  advice,  I  am  always  at 
your  command.  I  shall  never  forget  your  noble  behaviour. 
We  were  bold,  and  aimed  high ;  we  failed,  but  we  came  out 
victorious  just  the  same.  I  would  advise  you  to  go  away — im- 
mediately, to  Vienna !  You  will  be  quieter  there.  I  will  send 
you  some  one  who  will  arrange  the  journey  for  you.  .  .  .  The 
Prince  and  the  Princess  de  Ligny  will  do  everything  for  you. 
You  must  run  away,  for  now  it  is  that  you  are  in  danger — now 
you  will  be  obliged  to  become  a  common  favourite.  My 
respect  .  .  ." 

Małachowski  bent  his  head  and  went  towards  the  door. 

Pani  Walewska  rushed  from  her  seat  and  crossed  his  way. 

"  One  word  more  !  " 

Małachowski  looked  at  Pani  Walewska's  transparent,  pale 
face,  and  said,  -with  paternal  benevolence — 

"Speak,  pray.   ..." 

Pani  Walewska  pressed  her  breast  as  if  wishing  to  stop  its 
heaving. 

*'I  will  do  anything  for  you,"  said  Małachowski. 

"  I  did  not  tell  you  the  truth,"  said  Pani  Walewska,  in  a 
muffled  voice. 

"What.?" 

"  I  have  not  seen  the  Emperor !  " 

"  You  are  joking.  I  know  you  have  been  in  the  Castle. 
I  know  even  that  Corvisart  brought  you  here." 

''  Then,  yes,  I  have  been  there,  but  I  did  not  say  even  one 
word  about  what  you  told  me.     I  lacked  courage,  will,  daring." 

"  Reflect.  ...  A  minute  ago  you  accused  him.  .  .  ." 

"Because  I  wished  to  justify  myself,  because  I  wanted  to  get 
rid  of  that  mission." 

Małachowski  looked  at  her  in  bewilderment. 

"  And  you  did  not  ask  him  for  anything  ?  " 

"  No,"  whispered  Pani  Walewska  through  her  set  teeth. 

"  Then,  why  did  you  promise  ?     Why  did  you  deceive  me  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know.  I  wanted  .  .  .  Do  not  ask  me !  Forget 
about  me.     Do  not  count  on  me." 

Malachowsld  laughed  ironically. 


286  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  Ha,  ha  !  You  say  you  did  not  have  courage  !  But  you  had 
courage  to  ask  for  those  things  !  " 

"Yes." 

"  You  are  paid,  and  you  think  it  is  enough  !  " 

"Yes." 

Małachowski  drew  himself  up  proudly. 

"  Excuse  my  mistake  !  I  value  your  sincerity ;  and  should 
you  be  in  need^  you  can  ask  me  to  pay  for  your  trouble  in 
gold." 

Pani  Walewska  gasped^  wanted  to  say  something  to  defend 
herself,  to  parry  the  insult  thrown  at  her,  but  Małachowski 
was  gone. 

Pani  Walewska  was  seized  with  an  access  of  madness.  She 
rushed  to  the  boxes  and  began  to  destroy  them,  to  break  the 
necklaces,  to  scatter  the  pearls  and  precious  stones  on  the  floor, 
making  her  hands  bleed.  A  desire  for  destruction  took  hold 
of  her.  When  there  were  no  more  jcNvels  in  the  boxes  she  tore 
her  silk  gown,  clenched  her  fingers  on  her  ov/n  hands ;  she 
pulled  at  her  abundant  hair.  She  seemed  to  seek  physical  pain 
to  balance  her  moral  suffering  that  penetrated  her  and  burned 
her. 

After  this  attack  she  was  overcome  little  by  little  by  a  stupor 
—  an  unconsciousness  of  what  was  going  on  around  her.  She 
saw  Fryne's  frightened  face  bending  over  her ;  she  heard  her 
voice ;  she  felt  the  touch  of  her  soft  hands ;  she  could  dis- 
tinguish in  the  shadows  the  silhouette  of  moving  servants,  but 
she  could  not  account  for  all  that. 

She  could  not  explain  to  herself  why  the  chambermaids  were 
coming  to  her,  why  they  dressed  her,  who  put  on  her  neck  that 
locket. 

Only  when  everything  became  quiet  round  her.  Pani 
Walewska  came  to  her  senses,  passed  her  hand  over  her 
face  and  felt  the  tears. 

Was  she  crying  ?  Was  it  true  that  the  Speaker  had  been  to 
see  her  ?  But  she  was  not  crying.  Why  should  she .''  She 
had  acted  like  a  child.  It  was  not  necessary  to  permit  him  to 
talk  like  that.  She  should  have  been  silent.  What  were  Mała- 
chowski and  others  to  her  ?  She  must  remain  alone  with  her 
grief,   pain,    and    disenchantment ;    for    notwithstanding    her 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  287 

interior  fight^  she  wished  for  the  voice  of  common  sense  and 
conscience.  And  that  desire  was  so  sudden,  so  powerful,  so 
dizzying  that  she  could  not  resist  it.  She  had  committed  an 
unpardonable  fault — almost  a  crime  !  But  they  tempted  her  so 
much  by  displacing  to  her  such  magnificent  pictures  of  the 
future.  She  defended  herself  as  much  as  she  could,  but  not 
enough,  not  as  she  should  have  done.  Her  duty  was  not 
to  have  confidence  in  her  own  strength.  It  was  she  who  had 
attempted  to  bar  his  way.  He  trampled  upon  her  and  threw 
into  her  face  a  handful  of  jewels,  and  to-day  he  had  already 
forgotten  that  he  had  broken  one  more  life,  that  he  had 
annihilated  one  more  existence. 

Pani  Walewska  trembled. 

And  she  had  imagined  to  herself  that  he  was  different.  He 
trampled  on  her,  he  insulted  her,  he  did  not  wish  even  to 
respect  that  beautiful  portrait  of  himself,  that  she  had  engraved 
in  her  heart  with  the  most  exalted  thoughts,  that  portrait  which 
she  had  worshipped  with  every  drop  of  her  blood.  P'or  years 
and  years  the  figure  of  that  magnificent  commander,  that 
general  of  nations,  had  been  growing  in  her  mind.  For  years 
and  years  fantastic  stories,  adorning  him  with  legendary 
wreaths,  surrounding  him  with  rainbow-like  hues,  had  been 
coming  to  her.  For  years  and  years  she  had  heard  Napoleon's 
name  pronounced  in  her  father's  house  with  respect.  It  had 
taken  years  and  years  to  personify  Napoleon  in  her  mind  as 
a  genius,  as  an  idol.  Then  came  that  awful  moment  in  which 
she  learnt  the  merciless  truth.  Why  did  it  come .''  Why  did 
it  rob  her  of  such  a  beautiful  dream  ? 

Pani  Walewska  sighed. 

The  spell  had  disappeared,  and  the  person  to  whom  from  her 
childhood  she  had  wished  the  greatest  good  had  done  her  the 
gi-eatest  wrong. 

But  perhaps  it  was  her  own  fault ;  perhaps  she  was  too  bold 
in  fulfilling  the  promise  given  to  the  Speaker  of  the  Diet. 

Had  she  followed  Ornano's  ad\'ice  at  once ;  had  she  not 
been  too  late  only  by  one  minute ;  had  she  valued  Gorayski's 
warnings !  But  it  had  to  be.  She  was  punished  for  her 
longings,  for  her  dreams,  for  her  complaints  against  the  lone- 
hness  of  Walewice. 


288  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska  was  surrounded  by  quiet  and  darkness.  She 
was  overpowered  by  the  feeling  of  boundless  solitude  and 
isolation.  She  had  nobody — nobody  would  know  and  understand 
her  secret  grief,  bitterness,  and  tears.  Her  husband,  Mme. 
de  Vauban,  Fryne,  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz,  Herceau,  Małachowski, 
the  Princess  her  sister-in  law,  Constant,  Princess  Radziwil, 
Corvisart,  her  family,  and  even  perhaps  her  own  brother,  would 
condemn  her,  and  would  be  persuaded  that  they  were  right 
to  do  so.  And  for  her  there  would  remain  that  fearful  quiet, 
for  she  had  nobody,  nobody !  .  .  .  They  are  still  fondling  her 
and  cringing  to  her,  for  they  still  think  yet  that  she  will  be  able 
to  get  something  for  them.   .  .  . 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  spasmodically.  Her  strained  thoughts 
became  slower  and  slower. 

Suddenly  she  felt  that  some  one  had  touched  her  hand.  And 
this  touch  was  soft  but  firm,  a  touch  so  familiar  to  her  that  she 
could  hardly  refrain  from  screaming. 

Her  first  thought  was  that  she  had  a  vision,  and  she  wanted 
to  defend  herself  against  it. 

But  the  touch  was  repeated,  and  with  it  a  whisper  resounded, 
a  whisper  that  froze  Pani  Walewska's  blood. 

"  Mary,  forgive  me  !  .  .  .  I  am  very  guilty,"  was  the  whisper. 
"  I  shall  do  everything  in  order  to  reward  you  for  that  moment. 
Do  not  put  me  away.  Madness  took  hold  of  me.  I  thought 
that  it  would  suffice  to  have  you  in  order  to  quench  my  love, 
which  made  my  heart  throb  for  you !  Forgive  me.  Look  ! 
I  humble  myself  before  you — I  beseech  you ! " 

Pani  Walewska  opened  her  eyes  wide. 

At  her  feet  Napoleon  was  kneeling  ! 

She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

"  O  Lord!    What  have  I  done  ?    Was  I  not  punished  already  ?" 

"  Child,  think  it  over.  I  avow  my  mistake,  and  I  beg. 
Permit  me  to  deserve  forgiveness,  permit  me  to  love  you, 
permit  me  to  be  proud  of  you.  Your  beauty  had  intoxicated 
me.  Child,  remember  how  many  storms  I  have  to  face. 
Remember  that  I  have  not  for  me  such  a  soft  little  hand  as 
is  yours,  which  would  smooth  my  brow.  Yes,  yesterday  I  wanted 
to  break  my  fetters,  which  you  put  on  me ;  yesterday  by  one 
outburst  of  passion.  I  thought  to  be  able  to  put  down  the  flames 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  289 

devouring  me.  And  to-day  I  return — I  bend  before  you 
conquered,  in  love,  sorry  for  your  sadness,  humiliated.  .  .  . 
Mary,  tell  me  that  you  forgive  me  ! " 

Pani  Walewska  rose,  stretched  herself,  and  said  quietly — 

"  Sire,  your  wish  is  for  me  a  command.  But  I  have  nothing 
to  forgive." 

Bonaparte  got  up  quietly. 

"Do  not  speak  to  me  like  that.  Forget  my  crown  and 
sceptre,  for  I  wish  you  to  talk  to  me  as  to  one  who  loves 
thee." 

Pani  Walewska  leaned  on  a  table,  feeling  that  her  legs  bent 
under  her. 

"I  also.  Sire,  try  to  believe  that,  for  I  cannot  think  that 
I  have  spoken  with  the  Emperor — with  Napoleon." 

Bonaparte  frowned ;  fiery  sparks  shone  in  his  eyes  and 
disappeared  under  frowning  eyebrows. 

"  You  are  bold,  too  bold ;  and,  perhaps,  too  severe.  You 
do  not  think  what  my  coming  to  you  means." 

"  It  is  true.  Sire  ;  it  is  an  honour  for  me." 

Bonaparte  took  Pani  Walewska's  hand. 

"  Mary,  forget.  Do  not  wound  me.  Have  pity  on  yourself, 
and  I  will  not  let  you  forget  your  kindness." 

"  Undoubtedly,  Sire,  you  know  how  to  be  magnificent !  " 

Napoleon  bit  his  lips. 

'^  What  is  the  meaning  of  your  irony  ?  Tell  me,  why  do  you 
force  yourself  to  keep  a  courtly  distance  between  us  ?  Why 
do  you  not  answer  with  your  heart  ?  Why  are  not  you 
sincere  ? " 

"  I  am  afraid  of  hurting  you.  Sire." 

"  I  demand  frankness.  Speak  !  I  do  not  wish  you  to  have 
even  a  shadow  of  grief  against  me.  Forget  about  the  Emperor ; 
he  came  here,  not  to  command,  but  to  beg.  Do  tell  me  every- 
thing you  wish  for." 

"  Very  well,"  answered  Pani  Walewska  shortly,  and  she  rang 
the  bell. 

"  What  do  you  intend } " 

"  I  do  what  you  authorised  me,  Sire." 

The  valet  appeared  at  the  door. 

"Who  brought  those  jewels?"  asked  Pani  Walewska  drily, 
u 


290  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

"  A  soldier  of  the  Guard ;  there  was  a  valet  from  the  Castle 
.  .  .  they  said  .  .  ." 

"  Enough  !  Put  the  small  boxes  in  the  big  one ;  lock  it  up, 
give  me  the  key,  and  carry  the  box  at  once  to  the  Grand 
Marshal  of  the  Court  of  his  Imperial  Majesty  !  " 

The  valet,  abashed  by  the  Emperor's  presence,  awkwardly 
fulfilled  the  order,  and  left  the  room  with  the  box. 

Pani  Walewska  turned  to  the  Emperor. 

"  And  now,  Sire,  pray  take  the  key." 

''  But,  child,"  said  Bonaparte,  embarrassed  by  an  ending  to 
the  proceeding  so  incomprehensible  to  him,  "they  must  have 
given  you  my  note.  I  took  the  liberty  of  sending  you  those 
trifles,  with  the  intention  of  giving  you  a  proof  of  my  thoughts 
of  you." 

Pani  Walewska  drew  herself  up  proudly. 

"  I  cannot  accept  them  !  " 

"But  .  .  ." 

"  It  is  so.  Sire ;  it  is  too  much  for  Walewska,  and  too  little 
for  a  Polish  lady." 

Bonaparte  folded  his  arms  upon  his  breast. 

"  I  can  be  munificent  only  to  Walewska." 

"  That  being  the  case.  Sire,  she  cannot  accept  anything  from 


you! 

"  Then,  not  being  able  to  obtain  your  price,  you  reject  my 
love  ;  you  do  not  care  for  me  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  blushed. 

"No,  Sire,"  she  said  in  a  whisper;  "only  if  my  request  could 
not  be  granted,  then  do  not  think  about  presents — let  me  be 
neither  richer  nor  poorer  than  I  am." 

Napoleon  seized  her  hand  and  pressed  it  to  his  lips. 

"  But  permit  me  to  become  rich  by  having  you  !     Speak  !  " 

The  tears  appeared  in  Pani  Walewska's  eyes. 

"Whose  can  I  call  myself  since  yesterday?" 

Bonaparte's  face  beamed. 

"  A  hundred  times  good  !  You  shall  be  tlie  star  of  my  new 
better  life.  .  .  .  Mary  !  love  and  trust  me  !  What  seems  to-day 
to  be  a  fable,  what  reason  declares  impossible,  that  I  promise 
you  to  embrace  with  my  hearty  willingness !  In  exchange  for 
your  love,  I  promise  to  follow  your  ideals  ! " 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  cannons  became  silent  at  Tchew. 
A  gloomy  February  night  had  stopped  the  bloody  victory 
of  the  Polish  legions,  and  did  not  permit  the  victors  to  pursue 
the  retreating  Prussians. 

Decimated  regiments  lay  down  on  snow  hardened  by  frost, 
gathering  round  camp  fires,  satisfying  their  hunger  and  thirst 
with  the  consciousness  of  their  victory  and  with  the  hope  of  the 
Emperor's  praise,  of  crosses  and  advancement. 

Not  far  from  the  house  occupied  by  the  commandant-in- 
chief  a  group  of  officers  were  chatting  with  animation,  recollect- 
ing episodes  from  the  battle. 

'^  The  Colonel !  "  suddenly  exclaimed  Lieutenant  Lonczynski, 
jumping  to  his  feet. 

The  others  followed  his  example. 

A  tall  man  wrapped  in  a  cloak  was  coming  from  the  direc- 
tion of  a  house. 

"  Who  is  mounting  guard  over  the  camps  .^ "  asked  the 
Colonel. 

"  The  captain  of  the  second  regiment  of  infantry,  Chluso- 
wich ! "  answered  a  voice  from  the  fire  quickly. 

"  Is  Major  Konsinowski  here  ?  Ah  !  it  is  you  !  Very  well ! 
And  Lieutenant  Lonczynski !  Look,  I  have  brought  the  report 
from  Pakosh  to  show  it  to  you.  Come  near  the  fire  !  Listen  : 
*  Paul  Lonczynski,  lieutenant  of  the  Italian  Legion,  lately  trans- 
ferred from  Marshal  Davoust's  army  corps,  three  times  reported 
for  promotion  in  the  last  seven  years,  to-day  charged  a  Prussian 
battery  with  half  a  squadron  of  horse,  and  took  a  cannon  alone  ; 
he  is  reported  for  promotion  and  reward.'     I  hope  it  is  enough  .i*" 

"Thank  you,  sir!"  said  the  Major;  "he  deserves  such  a 
recommendation . " 

291 


292  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

''  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you,  sir,"  added  Lonczynski, 
smiling  slightly. 

"  You  must  thank  yourself/'  said  the  Colonel,  putting  out  his 
hand  to  Lonczynski.  "  I  have  done  an  agreeable  duty.  Now, 
I  am  sure,  you  will  get  the  long-deserved  epaulettes." 

Lonczynski  had  no  time  to  ans\ver,  for  the  door  of  the  house 
occupied  by  the  general  staff  opened  briskly,  and  an  officer, 
turning  to  the  Colonel,  said  hastily :  "  The  Emperor's  courier, 
sir.     Major,  and  you,  lieutenant,  to  the  General  at  once  ! " 

"  The  deuce  !  "  said  the  Major  through  his  set  teeth.  "  1  am 
sure,  some  change  in  the  service  !  " 

"  I  do  not  think  so  ;  it  is  something  about  you." 

"  About  me  .'' "  answered  Lonczynski  doubtfully. 

They  entered  the  house  occupied  by  the  staff  and  generals. 

In  the  first  room,  in  which  several  aides-de-camp  were  sitting 
at  two  tables,  the  lieutenant  was  asked  to  wait. 

Lonczynski  greeted  the  officers,  who  answered  by  muttering 
something,  and  went  to  the  fireplace ;  but  he  had  not  time  to 
warm  himself,  for  the  Colonel  came  out  from  the  other  room 
and  asked  him  in. 

Lonczynski  followed  the  Colonel ;  grey-headed  General  Gieł- 
gud rose  from  behind  a  table. 

"  Lieutenant  Lonczynski !  "  introduced  the  Colonel. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,"  said  the  General,  putting  his  hands 
out,  "  and  still  more  glad  to  congratulate  you  on  the  particular 
favour  of  the  Emperor." 

"  I  do  not  understand  ..." 

''^We  did  our  best  to-day  with  the  Colonel  in  the  report 
about  3'ou,  but,  in  the  meanwhile,  they  remembered  you  better 
in  Warsaw.  Your  road  lies  open  to  the  most  brilliant  career. 
I  have  heard  much  good  about  you,  therefore  I  do  not  wonder 
at  the  great  honour  that  has  befallen  you.  I  am  glad  of  it 
with  my  whole  heart." 

"  Really,  sir,"  said  the  lieutenant  hesitatingly,  "  I  do  not 
understand.   .  .  ." 

Giełgud  opened  a  longish  box  standing  on  the  table. 

"  Lieutenant  Lonczynski,  the  Emperor's  courier  has  brought 
you  these  epaulettes.  You  are  appointed  colonel  to  the  general 
staff;  you  are  called  to  be  near  his  Majesty." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  293 

«I  ...  I  ...  sir?" 

"  Here  is  the  appointment  and  the  command  calling  you  to 
headquarters." 

The  lieutenant  passed  his  hand  over  his  eyes,  as  if  wishing 
to  clear  away  a  nightmare. 

"  I — a  colonel !     It  is  impossible  !  " 

The  General  stroked  his  abundant  white  hair,  and  smiled 
benevolently. 

"I  am  pleased  with  your  surprise,  for  it  means  that  you 
deserve  the  reward  honestly." 

The  Colonel  helped  Lonczynski  to  take  off  his  cloak,  took 
off  his  lieutenant's  epaulettes  and  put  on  those  of  a  colonel. 

The  General  looked,  and  approved  joyfully. 

"They  are  very  becoming  to  you.  You  are  now  a  man  of 
importance  all  at  once.  General  staff!  The  Emperor's  head- 
quarters !  It  is  a  great  honour  to  us  all.  It  appears  they 
think  of  us.  But  this  is  not  all.  Here  is  the  cross,  and  five 
hundred  napoleons  for  equipment." 

Lonczynski  reddened,  paled,  grew  blue  by  turns.  He  looked 
stupefied  at  the  rich  silver  epaulettes,  the  Legion  of  Honour, 
and  at  the  gold,  and  could  not  gather  up  his  thoughts.  He 
could  not  account  for  such  a  peculiar  favour  of  the  Emperor. 
For  years  he  had  not  been  able  to  get  the  long-deserved 
promotion  to  the  rank  of  captain ;  had  had  no  pay  for  two 
years,  and  lived  on  the  money  sent  to  him  by  his  sister,  Pani 
Walewska.  And  here,  all  at  once,  the  Emperor's  courier 
brought  him  the  post  of  a  colonel  in  the  general  staff,  a  cross, 
and  money.  The  thought  came  to  his  mind  that  there  must 
be  some  mistake. 

''  But  it  is  impossible,"  said  he ;  "it  must  be  some  one  else  ! " 

The  General  took  snuff,  and  said  positively :  "  Not  at  all. 
With  the  diploma  is  a  paper  on  which  is  your  father's  name 
and  place  of  your  birth,  and  this  is  evidently  sent  that  there 
should  be  no  doubt  whatever.  Yes,  yes ;  Dombrowski  was  a  little 
surprised  that  you  should  jump  over  three  grades,  but  he  was 
glad,  and  he  begs  of  you  to  take  with  you,  as  you  are  going  to 
see  the  Emperor,  the  report  about  yesterday's  fight,  as  he  would 
like  to  spare  every  officer.  And  I  suppose  you  will  be  pleased 
to  present  such  thanks  to  the  Emperor." 


294.  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Having  advised  the  newly  appointed  colonel  to  go  the  next 
day  to  Liebstadtj  he  took  leave  of  him. 

Hardly  had  the  grey  winter  morning  come,  when  the  news 
about  the  Imperial  courier  was  already  being  commented  upon 
throughout  the  camp. 

Some  officers  expressed  their  jealousy  frankly ;  the  others 
tried  maliciously  to  find  the  cause  of  such  a  sudden  distinction ; 
still  others — these  were  Lonczynski's  friends — rejoiced  heartily; 
but  they  wondered  just  the  same. 

The  oldest  soldiers,  who  remembered  Napoleon  when  he  was 
as  poor  as  they  were  now,  had  never  heard  of  such  rapid  pro- 
motion. It  was  true  that  such  of  his  satellites  as  Berthier, 
Murat,  Bessieres,  Lannes,  and  even  Lefebvre  had  passed  the 
military  grades  quickly,  but  it  was  an  unheard  of  thing  that 
a  special  courier  should  be  sent  to  an  ordinary  officer,  who 
had  never  had  the  chance  to  be  at  Bonaparte's  side,  and  never 
had  been  spoken  of  by  him. 

Lonczynski's  appointment  would  have  been  justified  if  he 
had  a  great  historical  name,  if  he  had  a  powerful  family,  if  he 
had  accomplished  some  extraordinary  deed. 

Lonczynski  was  appreciated  as  a  capable  and  brave  officer, 
but  men  like  him,  and,  perhaps,  more  capable  of  commanding, 
were  very  numerous. 

If,  however,  the  surprise  in  the  Polish  Legion  was  great, 
the  shock  experienced  by  the  lieutenant  himself  was  as  strong, 
and  it  increased  in  proportion  as  he  sought  after  the  cause  of 
such  a  favour  of  fortune. 

A  captain's  rank  would  have  filled  him  with  contentment  and 
pride,  would  have  fulfilled  his  hopes  and  dreams,  and  a  soldier's 
cross  would  have  been  a  sufficient  reward  for  his  hardships. 

But  the  epaulettes  of  a  colonel  spoiled  his  pleasure,  did  not 
permit  him  even  to  answer  properly  his  comrades'  congratula- 
tions, filled  him  with  a  kind  of  shame  towards  his  former 
superiors. 

And  then,  notwithstanding  hearty  words  and  vigorous  hand- 
shakes, the  lieutenant  felt  that  there  was  something  in  his 
comrades'  behaviour  which  made  his  blood  rush  to  his  face, 
which  the  red  riband  of  the  Legion  changed  into  some 
reproach,  an  evident  mark  of  blind  fate,  a  wrong  to  the  others. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  295 

The  lieutenant  passed  the  night  in  feverish  excitement, 
in  bashfully  looking  at  his  epaulettes,  in  reading  the  diplomas, 
in  wondering  whether  it  was  not  all  a  dream,  a  hallucination. 

After  the  first  sounds  of  reveille,  when  Lonczynski  was 
gathering  his  poor  belongings  together,  and  laughing  inwardly 
at  the  contrast  between  the  shabby  and  patched  uniform  and 
the  rich,  bulky  epaulettes,  the  aide-de-camp  rushed  in  and 
asked  him  to  come  to  General  Dombrowski. 

Lonczynski  folloAved  him  at  once,  replying  hesitatingly  to  the 
salutes  rendered  to  him. 

In  the  house  occupied  by  the  staff,  he  was  met  by  the 
Colonel  and  introduced  into  a  room  in  which  General  Dom- 
browski and  his  son,  both  wounded  in  the  late  fight,  were  lying 
in  two  beds  beside  each  other. 

"  Who  is  there  .'' "  asked  a  muffled  voice. 

*'You  gave  orders,  sir,"  said  the  Colonel,  ''to  bring  you 
Colonel  Paul  Lonczynski." 

"Ah,  give  me  your  hand.  Sit  down  on  the  bed.  We 
wei*e  anxious  about  you.  And  the  appointment  came  of 
itself.?  ..." 

"  I  do  not  know  myself  .  .  ."  said  Lonzcynski  timidly. 

"  You  must  have  some  one  who  seized  an  opportunity." 

"  Upon  my  word,  sir,  I  cannot  think." 

Dombrowski  sighed  quietly. 

I  do  not  make  any  reproaches  to  you.  Even  if  that  were 
the  case  you  would  have  acted  wisely,  for.  as  you  know,  they 
have  not  paid  any  attention  to  my  reports." 

Dombrowski  became  silent. 

Lonczynski  tightened  his  lips  and  sat  motionless. 

"  You  are  going  to  the  Emperor's  staff,"  said  the  General, 
after  a  longish  pause.     "  I  congratulate  you." 

"  There  is  no  cause  for  congratulation,  sir." 

"  Why  not  >  " 

"  Because  I  beg  of  you  to  answer  that  I  do  not  accept  the 
appointment,  and  if  my  refusal  is  not  granted  I  shall  leave  the 
army." 

The  General  made  a  movement  of  uneasiness. 

"What  an  idea  !  " 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Lonczynski  earnestly,  "for  I  did  not 


296  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

make  any  steps  to  be  promoted  in  this  manner,  and  to  advance 
before  others  more  worthy  than  I  am." 

"  Nonsense,  nonsense  ! " 

"  I  shall  do  as  I  said,  sir." 

"You  shall  not  dare  to.  I  should  never  forgive  you, 
LonczjTiski.  The  deuce,  I  do  not  know  hoAv  to  lie,  therefore 
I  say  that  in  the  first  place  I  was  surprised  at  such  an  appoint- 
ment ;  but  I  do  not  envy  you.  On  the  contrary,  I  am  glad,  and 
now  more  than  ever,  for  I  see  that  you  are  more  worthy  to  be  a 
colonel  than  the  others.  If  I  could,  I  v.'ould  have  already  given 
you  those  epaulettes.  Give  me  your  hand.  I  cannot  move 
mine.  Go  to  the  general  staff.  The  more  like  you  are  there,  the 
better  it  will  be  for  us.  You  will  take  the  report  about  yester- 
day's fight.  You  have  been  sharing  our  hardships  for  years ; 
you  will  know  what  to  say  to  the  Emperor.  We  will  follow  him, 
but  he  must  take  better  care  of  us.  Yes,  yes ;  it  is  well  that 
you  should  be  on  the  general  staff.  We  have  had  nobody  there, 
and  our  best  plans  were  crippled.  The  Emperor,  as  it  seems, 
is  in  Liebstadt.     That  is  all.     I  cannot  speak  any  longer." 

The  General  breathed  deeply,  his  head  fell  motionless  on  the 
pillows. 

Lonczynski  rose  heavily. 

"I  wish  you  a  quick  recovery,  sir,"  said  he  with  a  stifled 
voice. 

"  Thank  you.  Give  me  your  hand.  Good  bye.  By-the-by, 
Lonczynski,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  you  are  a  relation  of  the 
W^alewskis." 

"Of  the  Walewskis .'^ "  repeated  with  surprise  Lonczynski. 
"  Relation  !     No  ;  my  sister  married  a  Walewski." 

"Then  she  is  a  Walewska." 

"Undoubtedly,  sir,"  said  Lonczynski  drily,  "if  she  is 
Walewski's  wife." 

"  Is  he  not  a  chamberlain  ? " 

"Yes." 

"Then  the  Chamberlain  Walewski's  wife  is  your  sister!" 
ended  the  General,  with  a  peculiar  smile. 

Loncz}Tiski  was  hurt  by  the  expression  of  his  face. 

"  May  I  ask  you,  sir,  for  the  reason  .''  .   .   .  " 

"  I  have  none.     Well,  we  were  chatting  with  Giełgud  about 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  297 

you,  and  it  came  into  my  mind.  .  ,  .  Good-bye,  and  be  careful, 
for  the  roads  are  crowded  with  dangerous  marauders " 

Lonczynski  took  leave  of  the  General  and  Colonel,  got  from 
Pacosh  the  report  for  headquarters,  and  about  an  hour  later 
mounted  a  big  mare,  which  he  purchased  from  a  dragoon  officer 
for  five  napoleons,  and  started  off. 

The  journey  was  difficult,  for  the  mare  was  old  and  exhaiisted, 
the  short  days  did  not  allow  him  to  make  long  rests,  and 
armed  bands  of  vagabonds  did  not  permit  of  travelling  by  night. 
Moreover,  in  the  halting-places  the  Colonel  could  hardly  get  a 
piece  of  bread  for  its  weight  of  gold,  or  a  handful  of  straw  for 
his  mount.  In  several  places  he  was  obliged  to  run  away  from 
robbers,  who,  although  they  wore  French  uniforms,  did  not  pay 
any  attention  to  his  colonel's  epaulettes,  and  hoped  to  find  him 
a  wealthy  prey. 

For  this  reason  Lonczynski  took  off  his  epaulettes  by  the  time 
he  reached  Malborg,  and  put  them  with  the  other  things  he 
carried  on  the  saddle. 

When,  on  the  third  day,  he  perceived  Liebstadt  in  the 
distance,  he  breathed  freely  and  sighed.  Gloomy  thoughts  left 
him  ;  curiosity  about  his  new  duties,  about  headquarters,  that 
foundry  of  the  thunderbolts  of  war,  took  hold  of  his  imagination. 

In  Liebstadt  he  was,  however,  disappointed,  for  instead  of 
headquarters  he  found  only  a  battalion  of  infantry.  Lonczynski 
reported  to  the  commandant  of  the  battalion,  and  from  him  he 
learned  that  the  Emperor  had  gone  to  Ostród.  The  Colonel 
wanted  to  go  further  at  once,  but  the  Frenchman  detained  him 
almost  by  force,  entertained  him  in  the  most  hospitable  way, 
and  only  when  the  Colonel  and  his  mount  had  eaten  and  rested, 
did  he  consent  to  his  departure. 

Lonczynski  was  puzzled  at  the  cause  of  the  Frenchman's 
hospitality ;  he  understood  it  only  at  the  moment  of  taking 
leave,  when  the  commandant  of  the  battalion  begged  him  to  do 
him  the  favour  of  asking  at  the  general  staff  for  him  to  be 
transferred  to  Marshal  Davoust's  army  corps. 

The  dusk  was  already  falling  when  Lonczynski  left  Liebstadt, 
but  he  did  not  wish  to  stay  there  overnight,  for  his  road  to 
Ostród  was  straight,  the  horse  was  rested  and  fed,  and  the 
distance  was  only  about  twenty  miles.     Then  the  proximity  of 


298  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

headquarters  promised  that  the  road  would  be  devoid  of  robbers, 
for  the  field  gendarmes  were  patrolhng  as  far  as  Elblong. 

In  Morong  the  Colonel  stopped  to  get  a  guide  and  set  out  for 
Saalfeld. 

The  guide — a  big,  broad-shouldered  peasant,  with  a  sheep- 
skin on  his  head — looked  to  the  Colonel  suspicious ;  but  there 
was  no  choice,  and  he  could  not  travel  alone,  for  the  snow  had 
begun  to  cover  the  black,  beaten  road. 

The  innkeeper  in  Morong  told  him  that  the  man  was  ready 
to  conduct  him  to  Saalfeld  for  half  a  thaler.  The  Colonel 
agreed,  and  as  he  was  accustomed  to  all  kinds  of  dangers  he 
did  not  bother  his  head  much,  and  started. 

The  guide  rushed  forward  so  quickly  that  the  mare  was 
obliged  to  follow  at  a  good  pace. 

For  about  an  hour  the  Colonel  followed  the  guide  in  silence, 
admiring  the  man,  who  would  not  stop  even  for  one  moment,  who 
passed  through  the  snow-drifts,  and  would  not  allow  the  mare 
to  reach  him.  Finally  he  seemed  to  be  tired,  for  he  stopped 
suddenly,  leaned  on  his  staff,  and  wiped  the  perspiration  from 
his  forehead.     The  Colonel  neared  him. 

The  guide  pushed  his  sheepskin  over  his  eyes  and  muttered— 

"For  such  a  trouble  half  a  thaler  is  not  too  much." 

"  We  shall  see ;  you  may  have  one  thaler  if  you  bring  me 
where  I  want  to  go." 

"And  perhaps  ten." 

"How  now  ?  " 

"  No  matter,"  muttered  the  man,  and  went  forward. 

The  Colonel  pressed  his  mare,  not  wishing  to  stop  the 
conversation. 

"  Where  do  you  come  from  ? " 

"  From  Jansbok." 

"A  Pole  ? " 

The  man  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  did  not  answer. 

"  How  far  is  it  from  Morong  to  Saalfeld  ł  " 

"Frenchmen  shall  not  reach  it." 

"  You  do  not  like  the  Frenchmen  .''  " 

The  peasant  gnashed  his  teeth. 

"The  plague  may  take  them  !  " 

"  Did  they  trouble  you  so  much  ?  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  299 

"  They  crowded  my  house^  they  have  eaten  everything,  they 
killed  my  hens,  pigs,  and  cows,  they  have  burnt  my  hedges. 
I  am  a  beggar  now." 

"War!" 

"So  we  say  also/'  muttered  the  man,  and  laughed  savagely. 

"  When  once  the  war  is  over  the  good  old  times  will  return." 

"If  they  do  not  devour  us." 

"Was  it  more  easy  for  you  under  the  Prussians  ?  " 

"  It  was  not  easy,  but  at  least  they  did  not  rob  us.  Are  you 
going  to  those  d Frenchmen }     Eh  ? " 

The  Colonel,  hearing  that  question  pronoimced  with  a  kind 
of  threatening  barking,  looked  at  the  broad-shouldered  peasant 
and  answered  evasively — 

"  Do  you  not  see  that  I  am  your  countryman  ?  " 

"  It  may  be  .  .  .  although  I  thought  so.  Then  why  do  you 
go  where  those  Frenchmen  are  swarming  ?  " 

"Sometimes  one  must." 

"  It's  not  my  business  ;  only  you  will  give  me  a  thaler,  for  the 
road  is  difficult." 

"  I  shall  not  bargain." 

The  guide  stopped,  looked  round  the  white  plain,  and  said 
after  a  thought :  "  From  the  willow  we  go  to  the  right." 

"  But  the  road  to  Saalfeld  is  straight. 

The  peasant  laughed. 

"  Yes  ;  only  we  have  not  gone  the  way  you  wanted." 

"  Have  you  lost  your  way  .''  " 

"  No ;  but  they  told  me  at  the  inn  that  you  were  a  French- 
man, and  I  wanted  to  bring  you  to  Hans  across  the  lake." 

"  What  Hans  }  " 

"  Well,  we  lead  every  Frenchman  there.  He  has  a  big  cellar. 
A  blow  on  the  head,  and  then  ..." 

The  Colonel  shivered. 

"  So  you  commit  murder  }  " 

"  No ;  they  murder  themselves.  And  what  can  we  do  with 
them  }  We  get  ten  thalers  for  every  Frenchman.  We  can  get 
back  something." 

"  But  if  they  discover  you  they  will  hang  you." 

"  They  hang  without  that.  They  hang  anybody  they  like ; 
they  do  not  ask  one  word.     The  day  before  yesterday  a  French 


300  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

general  was  coming  from  Bransberg.  He  said  he  had  a  letter 
from  our  king  to  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  He  was  a  Frenchman, 
although  he  spoke  human  language.    But  he  does  not  any  more." 

"  What  have  you  done  with  him .''  " 

"  Nothing.  Hans  took  him,  and  he  gave  me  his  bag.  Not 
much  in  it.  Hardly  a  thaler.  But  the  bag  was  full  of  papers. 
Hans  read  them  and  could  not  make  them  out — French  writing. 
I  shall  show  them  in  Saalfeld  to  the  secretary ;  they  may  be  of 
some  use." 

"  Have  you  them  with  you  .''  " 

The  man  rapped  his  sheepskin  coat. 

"  Yes ;  and  perhaps  you  could  make  them  out,  for  the 
secretary  is  a  cheat." 

Then  the  peasant  swore  at  the  Frenchmen  and  threatened 
them. 

The  Colonel  did  not  listen  to  his  effusions— he  was  thinking 
how  he  should  get  the  papers  from  the  man,  for  they  must  have 
been  important  if  they  were  sent  by  a  special  officer.  At  any 
fate,  the  papers  of  the  French  general  staff  should  not  fall  into 
the  Prussians'  hands.  On  any  other  occasion  the  Colonel  would 
not  have  hesitated  to  shoot  down  such  a  man ;  but  here  he  was 
entirely  at  his  mercy,  for  without  him  he  could  not  possibly  find 
his  way.    Common  sense  advised  him  to  wait  for  an  opportunity. 

It  is  true  that  he  could  kill  the  man  and  get  the  papers,  but 
he  had  some  scruples  about  doing  this.  The  man  was  a  robber, 
a  foe  worse  than  the  Prussians,  but  he  was  blinded  and  pushed 
to  despair  by  his  own  misery.  The  churl  felt  only  that  they 
robbed  him  and  made  a  beggar  of  him. 

The  Colonel  had  seen  with  his  own  eyes  the  devastation  made 
by  the  French  army,  and  he  understood  the  peasant's  hatred. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  consciousness  of  duty,  the  conscious- 
ness that  he  had  before  him  a  man  who  perhaps  possessed  very 
important  papers ;  a  man  who,  without  any  scruples,  had  given 
up  a  French  courier  to  death,  troubled  him. 

Had  that  man  had  a  wea])on  and  known  how  to  defend  him- 
self, then  the  Colonel  would  not  have  hesitated  to  risk  his  own 
life ;  but  to  shoot  at  an  unarmed  man,  especially  after  having 
taken  advantage  of  his  credulity,  seemed  to  him  a  villainy 
unworthy  of  his  rank. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE  STORY  301 

While  the  Colonel  was  trying  to  find  some  means  by  which  he 
could  get  hold  of  the  papers,  the  peasant  stopped  suddenly  and 
pointed  towards  the  distance.  The  Colonel  looked  in  that 
direction,  when  at  the  same  moment  the  report  of  a  rifle, 
followed  by  several  others,  was  heard. 

'^'^They  ai-e  fighting." 

The  man  waited  awhile,  and  when  the  firing  was  not 
repeated  he  smiled  ironically,  and  said :  "  They  are  firing  to 
scare  the  people.  We  must  tui'n  to  the  right.  You  had  better 
dismount,  for  it  is  safer." 

"  I  shall  only  do  that  when  it  is  necessary." 

"  As  you  wish ;  but  you  must  give  me  my  thaler  now,  for 
I  do  not  know  whether  I  shall  get  it  afterwards." 

The  Colonel  threw  the  money  to  the  peasant. 

"  Now  we  must  hasten  to  reach  that  wood.  Take  care  of  the 
horse,  for  it  is  marshy  here." 

And  the  guide  began  to  walk  so  quickly  that  the  horse, 
stumbling  on  the  frozen  ground,  could  hardly  keep  pace  with 
him. 

When  they  reached  the  wood  the  peasant  listened  for  a  while, 
and  then  went  forward,  pushing  aside  the  brushwood  to  make 
way  for  the  horse. 

Suddenly,  a  few  steps  in  front  of  them,  the  shadow  of  a  man 
appeared.  The  peasant  stopped  the  horse  by  the  bridle,  and 
said  in  a  whisper — 

"Down,  and  follow  me." 

But  before  the  Colonel  could  follow  the  advice  he  heard 
behind  him  :  "  Qid  vive  !" 

"  Les  amis  !"  answered  the  Colonel. 

"Nous  aUons  voir!  Ne  bougez  pas!"  and  twelve  men  sur- 
rounded him. 

"  Where  from  ? "  asked  one  of  the  men  imperatively. 

"  Colonel  of  the  Staff  of  his  Majesty." 

"What?" 

"  I  have  said  it.  Conduct  me  to  the  commandant  of  the 
detachment.     Is  it  the  field  artillery?" 

"  Yes.  But  you  must  excuse  us.  It  is  dark ;  we  must  escort 
you." 

"That  is  what  I  want." 


302  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Pray  dismount." 

The  Colonel  did  as  was  asked,  and  stood  beside  the  peasant. 

They  started  at  once.  The  peasant  was  gloomy.  The  Colonel 
took  pity  on  him. 

"  Why  are  you  so  sad  ? " 

"They  will  hang  me." 

"  Do  not  be  afraid ;  only  say  that  you  are  in  my  service." 

"  Yes  ;  but  if  they  find  on  me  those  papers  ..." 

"  Give  them  to  me — quick  !  " 

The  peasant  hesitated,  for  he  thought  that  his  companion 
was  putting  a  rope  round  his  neck,  but  at  last  took  out  the 
papers  from  under  the  sheepskin  coat  and  slipped  them  into 
the  Colonel's  hand. 

After  an  hour  of  fatiguing  mai'ching  they  reached  Saalfeld, 
where,  after  some  inquiries,  which  had  rather  the  character 
of  military  honours  rendered  to  the  Colonel,  he  was  called 
to  General  Herve,  who  was  in  command  of  the  third  army 
corps. 

Herve  received  him  enthusiastically,  showered  compliments 
upon  him,  and  invited  him  to  lunch.  The  Colonel  wanted  to 
excuse  himself,  giving  as  a  reason  that  he  had  a  shabby  and 
patched  uniform,  but  the  General  would  not  hear  of  such  an 
excuse,  and  the  Colonel  was  obliged  to  stay. 

"  I  will  introduce  you  to  my  aides-de-camp ;  they  will  take 
good  care  of  you." 

The  General  went  to  the  side  door,  but  stopped  suddenly, 
and  said:  "Colonel,  are  you  not  Madame  Walewska's  brother.''" 

"  It  is  true  that  my  sister  married  a  Walewski,  but  I  do  not 
know  which  Madame  Walewska  you  mean." 

The  General  was  embarrassed. 

"  I  am  sure  I  had  the  honour  to  be  introduced  to  your  sister 
in  Warsaw  !  I  was  dazzled  !  I  do  not  know  a  more  beautiful, 
a  more  charming,  and  a  more  elegant  person  than  Madame 
Walewska ! " 

The  Colonel  could  hardly  help  smiling  at  the  General's 
enthusiasm. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that ;  but  there  must  be  some  mistake. 
My  sister  does  not  go  into  society.  A  certain  difference  of  age 
between  her  and  her  husband  .  .  ." 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  803 

Herve  laughed  good-heartedly. 

"  Then  it  is  the  same.  Mary,  wife  of  a  very  ...  of  the 
former  Chamberlain,  not  very  young.  .  ,  .  I  was,  and  I  am  still, 
bewitched !  Should  you  have  an  opportunity,  pray  remember 
me  to  her." 

"  I  should  be  very  glad,  only  now  .  .  ." 

"  Naturally,  naturally  !  I  understand  !  "  said  the  General 
shrewdly.  "At  any  rate,  pray  remember  my  request.  We 
lunch  at  twelve  o'clock." 

Herve  then  conducted  the  Colonel  to  the  other  room,  occu- 
pied by  the  aides-de-camp  of  the  staff,  introduced  them,  and 
commended  him  to  their  hospitality. 

The  Colonel  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  elegant  officers, 
and  he  felt  that  he  was  in  another  world  unknown  to  him. 
Therefore,  when  Captain  Romeuf  asked  him  if  he  would  not 
hke  to  rest  in  his  quarters,  the  Colonel  accepted  his  proposition 
at  once. 

Romeuf  occupied  elegantly  furnished  rooms  in  the  next 
house,  which  testified  that  the  Captain  had  not  ceased  to  be  a 
refined  Parisian. 

"  I  wonder  if  you  will  find  everything  you  want,"  said 
Romeuf  to  his  guest.  "I  will  send  our  Jacques  to  you  at  once — 
he  is  not  at  all  a  bad  coiffeur." 

"  Thank  you !  May  I  ti'ouble  you  to  send  me  my  servant 
with  my  things,  and  also  to  give  me  a  pass  for  him,  as  I  wish  to 
send  him  back." 

Romeuf  at  once  did  as  he  was  asked,  and  withdrew. 

The  Colonel  looked  at  the  gloomy  peasant,  and  said  cheer- 
fully :  "Well,  you  see  they  have  not  eaten  us  up ! " 

«  Not  yet ! " 

"  And  they  shall  not !  I  am  sure  you  would  Uke  to  go  as 
soon  as  possible." 

"  Would  they  let  me  } " 

"  Yes.  Here  is  your  pass.  You  can  go  at  once.  And  here 
is  another  thaler.  .  .  ." 

The  peasant  grew  red. 

"  May  God  reward  you!"  answered  the  man,  and  sneaked  out 
of  the  room. 

The  Colonel  began  to  dress  himself.     He  brushed  his  shabby 


304  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

uniform  carefully,  pinned  on  the  cross  of  the  Legion,  made  the 
hilt  of  his  sword  shine,  and  then,  having  looked  at  himself  in 
the  mirror,  he  smiled  with  satisfaction. 

Then  he  proceeded  to  pack  his  shabby  belongings,  for  he  did 
not  wish  the  Captain  to  see  his  ragged  linen.  While  doing  this 
he  noticed  the  papers  he  had  got  from  the  peasant.  He 
imfolded  them  and  began  to  read,  thinking  that  the  best  way 
would  be  to  hand  them  to  General  Herve,  telling  him  that  he 
had  found  them.  The  papers  were  signed  by  General  Bertrand, 
and  all  wei'e  addressed  to  the  Imperial  bureau.  The  Colonel's 
attention  was  especially  attracted  by  a  report  dated  from  Klay- 
ped,  which  was  then  the  headquarters  of  the  Prussian  king, 
Frederick  Wilhelm ;  and  in  that  report  he  found  that  the 
Prussian  king  had  received  Napoleon's  propositions  to  make 
peace,  on  condition  that  his  possessions  up  to  the  River  Elbe 
should  be  restored  to  him,  very  coolly,  and  that  even  Na- 
poleon's intimation  that  he  did  not  think  much  of  the  Polish 
provinces,  since  becoming  acquainted  with  them,  had  not  made 
the  expected  impression. 

The  Colonel's  head  whirled  at  such  a  discovery.  Those 
words  contained  the  kernel  of  Napoleon's  diplomacy,  the  irony 
of  life  and  the  world,  scattering  the  fantastic  dreams  for  which 
thousands  of  Poles  had  let  themselves  be  killed,  the  whole 
falsehood  of  diplomatic  notes,  proclamations,  half-words,  and 
even  promises. 

The  Colonel  was  a  soldier  who  believed  in  Napoleon — he  was 
a  soldier  of  hope.  That  hope  sometimes  only  gleamed  faintly, 
but  it  was  always  within  him — and  now  it  began  to  die  out. 

The  entrance  of  Romeuf  interrupted  his  gloomy  thoughts. 

"  Do  I  disturb  you  ?  " 

"Not  at  all,"  said  the  Colonel,  folding  the  papers  and 
putting  them  into  a  side  pocket  under  his  uniform. 

"  It  is  time  for  lunch." 


CHAPTER    XIV 

IT  was  already  dusk  when  the  Colonel,  convoyed  by  a  span 
of  General  Herve's  stallions,  came  to  the  inn  in  Ostród. 
Tired  and  cold,  he  welcomed  the  brightly  lighted  hostelry, 
promising  himself  a  good  rest  in  a  warm  room.  He  was,  how- 
ever, terribly  disappointed.  The  inn  was  so  packed  Avith  officers 
of  all  ranks  and  regiments  that  the  Colonel  at  once  lost  hopes 
of  finding  even  a  corner  to  lie  dov/n  in.  Wishing,  however,  to 
inquire  where  he  could  spend  the  night,  he  pushed  his  way 
through  the  group  of  officers  sitting  on  the  floor  to  a  corner,  in 
which  a  ragged  innkeeper  was  sitting. 

"  Listen.     I  want  a  room  !  " 

"  I  wanted  one  myself." 

"  I  will  pay  well." 

"  I  would  do  the  same." 

"  What  the  deuce  !  Have  you  not  at  least  a  bunch  of 
straw } " 

"  I  have  nothing  !  They  have  taken  everything  !  They  do 
what  they  please  !  " 

"  Give  me  some  whisky  !  " 

"I  have  none  !  " 

"  Then  sell  me  some  bread." 

"  I  have  not  got  it." 

"  Is  there  another  inn  ? " 

"Every  house  is  an  inn,  but  everywhere  you  will  find  the 
same  thing  as  here." 

The  Colonel  set  his  teeth  and  looked  round.  Only  now 
he  could  see  what  was  going  on.  The  room  was  crammed 
with  French  uniforms.  Uproar,  shouts,  laughter,  swearing, 
threats  filled  the  room.  Without  any  consideration  for  rank, 
for   prayers   and   threats,  those   who  were   stronger   occupied 

X  305 


306  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

chairs,  tables,  benches,  and  the  floor,  and  did  not  think  of 
giving  way. 

There  was  no  other  alternative  for  the  Colonel  but  to  take  his 
valise  and  go  elsewhere,  and  in  the  last  instance  to  spend  the 
night  in  General  Hervc's  carriage  or  to  report  himself  to  the 
general  staff.     The  Colonel  left  the  inn  and  went  to  the  town. 

Ostród  was  crowded  ;  all  the  houses  were  lighted  up ;  all 
were  smoking  in  order  to  lessen  the  steely  embraces  of  the 
fi'ost  and  to  warm  the  victors  of  Ilawa. 

The  Colonel  began  at  first  to  look  for  an  inn,  but  having 
convinced  himself  that  all  were  as  crowded  as  the  first  one,  he 
wanted  to  find  a  room  in  a  private  house,  but  all  in  vain.  The 
guards  occupied  every  corner ;  the  hospitals  were  in  barns  ;  the 
stables  were  taken  by  generals ;  the  officers  took  possession 
of  hen-houses. 

Having  lost  all  hope  of  finding  even  a  corner  to  lie  down  in, 
the  Colonel  decided  to  pass  the  night  in  his  carriage ;  but  to 
his  amazement,  the  carriage  was  not  where  he  left  it,  and  the 
marauders  lying  in  the  street  near  the  inn  informed  him  that 
the  coachman,  being  afraid  that  his  horses  would  be  eaten,  had 
left  as  soon  as  he  could. 

His  position  was  more  than  unpleasant.  It  was  impossible  to 
remain  out-of-doors,  because  of  the  intense  cold. 

Suddenly  a  thought  flashed  through  his  brain.  He  had 
a  report  to  the  Emperor ;  therefore  he  had  a  right  to  go  at 
once  to  the  Imperial  general  staff,  where  he  would  be  able 
at  least  to  sit  on  a  chair  and  wait  till  morning. 

He  determined  to  carry  out  his  idea  at  once,  and  having 
turned  again  towards  the  town,  he  met  a  detachment  of  field 
gendarmes,  of  whom  he  inquired  where  the  quarters  of  the 
staff  wei*e.    The  officer  pointed  out  to  him  a  one-storied  house. 

"  Here,"  said  he  drily. 

The  Colonel  boldly  entered  a  dimly  lighted  house. 

"Who?     To  whom.''"  asked  a  voice  from  the  other  end. 

"  Colonel  of  the  Imperial  staff  with  a  report." 

"To  the  left ;  you  will  find  an  aide-de-camp  on  duty." 

The  Colonel,  following  the  indication,  found  himself  in  a 
large  room,  in  which  several  officers  of  different  ranks  were 
sittin<]f  at  the  tables. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  307 

The  bright  light  of  several  candelabra  and  warmth  coming 
from  a  fireplace  gave  him  a  thrill  of  delight. 

The  Colonel  mumbled  the  usual  greetings,  and,  attracted  by 
the  warmth,  went  to  the  fireplace,  but  at  the  same  time  there 
resounded  from  a  table  a  sharp  question  :  "  Who  ?     What  for  ?  " 

The  Colonel  raised  his  head  proudly. 

"  I  have  a  report  from  Tchew." 

''Ah  !     Pray  show  it  to  me." 

"  But  you  are  not  the  chief  of  the  staff." 

"  I  must  know  all  the  same  what  you  bring." 

"\  bring  a  report  addressed  to  his  Majesty.     Here  it  is." 

The  officer  sitting  near  the  fireplace  rose,  took  the  envelope, 
glanced  at  it,  and  said  drily  :  "  It  is  not  for  us." 

"But  this  is  the  staff  ..." 

"  Of  Marshal  Berthier,"  finished  the  officer.  "It  is  not  for  us." 

"  Where  shall  I  go,  then .'' " 

"Two  steps  from  here.     But  the  report  is  not  urgent." 

"  It  contains  details  about  the  fight  at  Tchew." 

"We  know  them  already  through  Marshal  Lefebvre." 

The  Colonel  was  abashed.  The  officer  finished  the  conversa- 
tion in  a  more  friendly  manner. 

"You  have  plenty  of  time  till  to-morrow.  The  best  way 
will  be  to  report  to  the  commandant  of  the  Emperor's  head- 
quarters, and  he  v/ill  tell  you  to  whom  you  are  to  go." 

"Certainly.  .  .  .  But  that  being  the  case,  will  you  not  be 
kind  enough  to  tell  me  where  I  could  spend  the  night .'' " 

"  I } " 

"  I  am  a  colonel  of  the  general  staff." 

"  I  see  it,  and  I  wonder  that  you  have  forgotten  about  the 
quartermaster." 

"  But  where  can  I  find  him  ?  " 

"That  is  none  of  my  concern.  .  .  .  Excuse  me  ...  I  am 
very  busy.  .  .  ." 

The  Colonel,  notwithstanding  the  officer's  bow  of  dismissal, 
did  not  stir.     The  officer  grew  impatient. 

"  You  are  not  reasonable  at  all.  I  understand  that  it  is  not 
agreeable  to  search  for  quarters  at  night,  but  what  can  I  do  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  ask  you  to  help  me,  only  to  permit  me  to  stay  here 
till  morning." 


308  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

''  Here  ?     It  is  out  of  the  question." 

"  I  shall  stay  here,  all  the  same." 

The  officer  exchanged  a  significant  look  with  his  comrades. 

"I  consider  it  impossible." 

"And  I  look  at  it  as  a  disagreeable  but  unavoidable  necessity." 

"  Colonel,  you  are  not  going  to  violate  the  rules .'' " 

"  Nor  to  freeze  out  of  doors." 

"  I  shall  be  obliged  to  report  you." 

"As  you  like.  I  remain.  What,  the  devil !  I  was  summoned 
to  the  Imperial  staff,  not  to  sleep  in  the  street  with  vagabonds." 

"But  why  do  you  not  go  to  the  quartermaster?" 

"  I  shall  see  him  to-morrow." 

The  officer  rose  and  looked  at  the  Colonel  threateningly. 

"  Colonel,  I  have  the  honour  to  ask  you  to  leave  this  room." 

"  I  am  sorry,  but  I  shall  not." 

"  You  expose  yourself  to  the  worst  consequences." 

"Very  well." 

The  officer  seized  a  sheet  of  paper, 

"  I  am  writing  to  the  commandant  of  the  guard-house." 

"That  is  your  business." 

"  In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  you  will  be  deprived  of  your  sword 
and  conducted  to  the  guard-house," 

"  If  only  there  is  a  fire  there." 

The  officer  seized  the  pen. 

"  Your  name,  sir  ?  " 

"  Paul  Lonczynski." 

The  officer  grew  crimson. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  sir." 

"Lonczynski,"  repeated  the  Colonel. 

"  Madame  Walewska's  brother  ? "  exclaimed  the  officer,  rising 
from  his  chair  hurriedly. 

"That  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  matter,"  answered  the 
Colonel  sourly,  troubled  again  by  the  last  question. 

"You  came  from  the  North  Legion,  from  General  Dom- 
browski's  army  corps.  Yes ;  Colonel  Lonczynski,  Madame 
Walewska's  brother." 

The  Colonel  frowned. 

"What  then?" 

The  officer  buttoned  himself  up  and  rushed  from  behind  the 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  309 

table.  "  Colonel,  permit  me  to  have  the  honour.  I  am  Flahaut, 
the  Prince  of  Berg's  aide-de-camp.  I  am  very  glad,  and  very 
sorry,  too,  that  you  did  not  tell  me  your  name  at  once,  for  we 
were  expecting  you." 

"  Expecting  me  .'' " 

"Certainly.  Your  quarters  have  been  ready  for  two  days. 
Truly,  I  do  not  know  how  to  excuse  myself.  Will  you  permit 
me  to  introduce  my  comrades  to  you — Messieurs  Remusat  and 
Delaunay.  Can  I  offer  you  the  hospitality  of  my  rooms .''  I  am 
sqre  you  will  not  refuse.  Here  to  the  left  are  my  modest 
quarters.     Ah  !  papers  !     Nothing  urgent !  " 

The  Colonel,  surprised  by  such  an  ending  to  the  quarrel,  did  not 
refuse,  and  was  soon  sitting  before  a  sumptuously  served  table. 

"  Pray  excuse  my  camp  meal." 

"  But  it  is  a  banquet." 

"  We  do  what  we  can.    Do  you  prefer  Bordeaux  or  Burgundy .''  " 

''  Anything." 

"  Ah,  Colonel !  How  could  you  expose  your  servant  to  such 
a  confusion  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  know  ..." 

"  An  hour  ago  we  were  talking  about  you  with  M.  de  Segur. 
You  understand,  the  Emperor's  mareckal  de  logis." 

"  You  were  speaking  of  me  ?  " 

"Yes.  You  were  expected  yesterday.  This  morning  the 
Emperor  asked  about  you." 

The  Colonel  became  confused. 

"  The  Emperor  .  .  .  about  me  !  .  .  .  You  must  take  me  for 
someone  else." 

"  Certainly  not.  Is  it  not  you  who,  by  some  mischance,  have 
been  waiting  years  for  your  appointment  as  captain .'' " 

"  Yes,  it  is  I." 

"  One  more  proof  that  I  have  good  information." 

The  Colonel  did  not  know  what  to  say. 

The  wine,  abmidantly  poured  out  by  Flahaut,  and  still  more, 
the  news  about  the  Emperor's  inquiring  after  him,  upset  him, 
together  with  the  sudden  transition  from  complete  isolation  to  a 
sumptuous  and  hearty  reception. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Flahaut  continued  to  entertain  him  with 
conversation 


310  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  Ostród  is  unbearable.  Much  more  so  that  we  come  here 
from  Warsaw.  What  a  lovely  town  !  And  women  !  Every  one  of 
us  has  left  our  heart  in  Warsaw.  Naturally,  Madame  Walewska 
was  the  queen.     Beautiful  woman  !  " 

The  Colonel  laughed  good-humouredly. 

"  Dear  Warsaw !  If  I  had  not  been  born  in  Paris,  I  should 
like  to  have  been  born  in  Warsaw." 

Flahaut  continued  to  be  enthusiastic,  and  finally  tired  him- 
self and  the  Colonel. 

"Then  you  say  I  have  quarters?"  delicately  hinted  Lonczynski. 

Flahaut  rushed  from  his  chair. 

"  I  am  at  your  service.  I  have  sent  you  an  orderly.  Pray  be 
so  kind.  .  .  .  Your  valise  shall  be  sent." 

"Is  it  far.?" 

"  Almost  opposite  the  Emperor's  quarters.  You  are  the  Prince 
of  Bassano's  neighbour." 

"The  Prince  of  Bassano's  I  " 

"Yes  ;  M.  Maret !  De  Sógur  will  be  sorry  that  he  is  not  present 
at  your  installation.  In  his  name  I  beg  to  ask  you  to  excuse 
it,  should  you  find  anything  not  corresponding  with  your 
requirements." 

"  But  how  have  I  deserved  all  this .'' " 

"  It  is  our  duty,  nothing  more.     Pray,  this  way." 

Flahaut  went  forward. 

Soon  the  Colonel  found  himself  in  a  luxuriously  furnished 
apartment,  heated,  lighted,  and  provided  with  everything. 

"  I  wonder  if  you  will  be  comfortable  here .'' " 

"For  years  I  have  not  had  such  quarters." 

"During  the  war  we  must  reduce  our  requirements.  Here 
you  have  your  sitting-room,  here  is  your  bedroom,  here  is  the 
room  for  your  orderly,  and  here  is  the  oi'derly  himself." 

The  Colonel  perceived  the  stalwart  figure  of  a  soldier  in 
the  uniform  of  chanscurs  a  cheval. 

"  What  is  your  name  ? " 

"Jacob,  sir." 

"  And  now  permit  me  to  wish  you  good  night.  I  shall  advise 
M.  de  Segur  at  once.  Perhaj^s  you  will  be  summoned  to-morrow 
to  the  Emperor." 

"  But,  Captain,  1  have  not  a  decent  uniform." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  311 

Flahaut  became  thoughtful. 

"  In  that  case  it  must  be  made  at  once." 

"  But  who  will  make  it  ?  " 

"  Leave  that  to  me,  provided  you  do  not  go  to  bed  at  once." 

The  Colonel,  entirely  hypnotised  by  the  Captain,  nodded 
affirmatively. 

Flahaut  was  so  quick,  that  in  about  fifteen  minutes  he 
returned  with  three  tailors,  who,  without  losing  one  minute, 
took  measurements  for  the  new  uniform,  cut  out  the  cloth, 
and  tried  it  on  as  soon  as  the  pieces  were  put  together. 

Flahaut  considered  it  his  duty  to  entertain  the  amazed  Colonel. 

After  about  an  hour  of  work,  the  head  tailor  tried  on  the 
new  uniform  once  more,  and,  bowing  respectfully,  said,  "At 
six  o'clock  the  dress  uniform  will  be  ready,  at  eight  o'clock 
the  overcoat,  in  the  afternoon  the  undress  unifoiTn." 

Not  waiting  for  an  answer,  the  tailors  left  the  room. 

Flahaut  rose  also. 

"It  will  be  my  duty  to  call  on  you  to-morrow.  By-the-by, 
a  little  indiscretion ;  will  you  permit  me  to  settle  with  the 
tailors .''  and  when  you  ..." 

The  Colonel  shook  the  Captain  by  the  hand  heartily. 

"  No ;  thank  you  very  much.  I  have  money.  But,  dear 
Captain,  tell  me  to  what  I  may  attribute  all  your  kindness  ?  Be 
frank,  and  do  tell  me." 

Flahaut  became  embarrassed. 

"  Nothing  more  than  simple  duty,  respect,  and,  if  you  would 
not  think  I  am  too  daring,  then  I  would  add  also  my  personal 
sympathy  for  you." 

Flahaut  took  leave.  The  Colonel  dismissed  the  orderly  and 
lay  on  the  sofa  in  order  to  collect  his  thoughts.  But  it  was 
a  difficult  task.  What  had  happened  to  him  during  the  last  two 
or  three  hours  had  upset  the  order  of  his  ideas.  He  could  not 
doubt  now  that  he  had  become  a  man  of  importance,  and  not 
because  of  his  charge  and  of  the  Legion  of  Honour,  but  by 
himself,  simply  because  he  was  a  Lonczynski. 

The  Emperor  had  inquired  about  him.  To-morrow  he  would 
be  at  the  Emperor's.  M.  de  Segur  would  pay  him  a  visit. 
And  then  ?  Then  .  .  .  perhaps  he  would  get  a  regiment — 
perhaps  a  whole  brigade .'' 


312  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

They  might  say  what  they  would,  but  the  Emperor  had 
remembered  him.  He  had  asked  about  him.  Perhaps  he  had 
heard  of  him  at  Hohenlinden,  and  recollected  only  now ! 
O  Lord  !  How  could  he  show  his  gratitude  ?  Would  he  have 
a  chance  to  die  for  him  ?  If  he  had  charge  of  a  regiment, 
if  there  was  some  difficult  position  to  be  taken,  he  would  go 
first  against  the  bayonets  and  die  under  the  flag  floating  on  the 
redoubt ! 

Let  the  cry  of  victory  be  his  last  cry,  and  the  Emperor's 
name  the  last  word  of  that  cry ! 

Such  were  Lonczynski's  dreams. 

The  tailors  brought  the  new  uniform  at  the  stated  hour,  and 
when  the  Colonel  put  it  on  and  looked  at  himself  in  the  mirror 
he  blushed — so  elegant  he  appeared  to  himself.  That  grey-blue 
cloth  was  becoming  to  his  silky  brown  moustaches,  to  his  face 
that  had  become  swarthy  in  the  field.  Silver  braid  and  em- 
broidery, white  trousers,  top  boots,  a  three-cornered  hat  with 
a  cockade,  and  a  sword  completed  the  uniform. 

He  was  still  looking  at  himself  when  Captain  Flahaut  rushed 
in  announcing  M.  de  Segur,  and  insisting  that  immediately 
after  the  audience  with  the  Emperor  he  should  call  on  Marshal 
Berthier ;  otherwise  the  latter  would  feel  offended. 

The  Colonel  could  not  help  laughing. 

"  Captain,  be  frank  with  me  !  " 

"  I  consider  it  my  duty." 

"  Then  why  should  the  Marshal  care  about  me  ? " 

Flahaut  cleared  his  throat. 

"  Well,  sir,  you  are  already  a  man  of  importance,  and  perhaps 
you  will  soon  be  of  still  greater  importance.  Ah,  I  think  this 
is  M.  de  Segur." 

The  Colonel  went  to  meet  the  new-comer,  who,  with  all  liis 
courtier's  amiability,  paid  several  compliments  to  the  Colonel, 
mentioned  Pani  Walewska,  and  told  Lonczynski  semi-officially 
to  come  to  the  Emperor's  ante-chamber. 

"But  should  I  be  there.''     Perhaps  his  Majesty  .  .  ." 

"  He  has  been  told  of  your  arrival.  Then  you  must  present 
General  Dombrowski's  report." 

After  having  said  that,  M.  de  Segur  took  leave  of  the  Colonel. 

Lonczj'nski   was   so   moved   by  the   news  that  in  about   an 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  313 

hour's  time  he  would  be  in  the  presence  of  Napoleon^  that 
he  did  not  try  to  conceal  his  fears  from  M.  Flahaut^  who  in- 
dulgently encouraged  the  Colonel. 

"  You  will  see  there  is  nothing  extraordinary  in  all  this, 
especially  for  you,  because  you  are  cćrtain  to  be  received  very 
graciously." 

"  But  how  shall  I  talk  ? " 

"  As  with  me,  adding  Sire.  Then  you  must  answer  boldly, 
without  hesitation." 

The  Captain's  words  made  Lonczynski  more  courageous, 
although  not  for  long,  for  when  he  found  himself  in  the 
Emperor's  waiting-room,  packed  with  most  splendid  uniforms, 
when  he  heard  the  aide-de-camp  calling  generals  and  marshals, 
when  he  saw  the  different  expression  of  the  faces  of  those  who 
had  passed  the  door  to  the  Emperor's  study,  and  with  Avhat 
burning  cheeks  they  returned  from  the  audience,  his  fright 
returned.  Besides,  either  on  account  of  Flahaut's  popularity, 
or  simply  because  of  the  kindness  difficult  for  him  to  under- 
stand, the  Colonel  made  acquaintance  with  some  one  at  every 
moment ;  every  moment  some  one  was  shaking  hands  with 
him  and  covering  him  with  compliments,  or  asking  him  to 
be  permitted  to  become  his  friend.  Moreover,  he  several 
times  heard  the  name  of  his  married  sister  pronounced  in 
a  whisper,  and  then  he  noticed  that  they  looked  at  him  in- 
quisitively. Of  course,  it  must  have  been  sheer  curiosity 
aroused  by  his  sudden  advancement,  but  the  Colonel  would 
have  given  anything — and  he  did  not  know  why — if  they  had 
not  pronounced  the  name  of  his  dear  Mary. 

"  Monsieur  le  Colonel  Paul  de  Lonczjoiski ! "  read  the 
Emperor's  aide-de-camp  from  the  list. 

The  Colonel  grew  pale,  adjusted  his  sword  mechanically,  and 
went  to  the  door.  Those  standing  in  his  way  retreated  respect- 
fully.    The  aide-de-camp  opened  the  door  and  whispered — 

"  To  the  right." 

The  Colonel  found  himself  in  a  small  room,  beyond  which  to 
the  left  was  the  Emperor's  study. 

Lonczynski  made  a  few  steps  and  stopped  as  riveted.  Through 
the  open  door  he  perceived  the  Emperor  sitting  at  his  writing- 
desk. 


314  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

Napoleon  raised  his  head  slightly. 

"Come  nearer." 

The  Colonel  came  to  the  desk  and  drew  himself  up  hke 
a  cord. 

"  You  are  Lonczynski .'' " 

"  Yes,  Sire." 

The  Emperor  rose,  walked  to  and  fro,  and  said  as  if  speaking 
to  himself — "  Lonczynski !     Very  well,  very  well !  " 

Then  he  stopped  suddenly,  and  asked — 

"  What  have  you  to  say  ?  " 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  thank  your  Majesty  most  humbly  ..." 

Napoleon  made  a  gesture  of  impatience,  and  interrupted  him  : 
"  You  come  from  Dombrowski's  army  corps  ^  " 

"I  have  a  report." 

"Then  why  do  you  not  give  it.'' " 

The  Colonel,  abashed  by  that  remark,  could  hardly  pull  the 
paper  from  under  his  uniform,  and  handed  it  to  the  Emperor 
with  trembling  hands. 

Napoleon  unfolded  the  papers  and  read  them  quickly. 

"  They  are  short  of  provisions  and  ammunition.  He  thinks 
that  I  have  them.     He  is  wounded." 

"Yes,  Sire." 

The  Emperor  glanced  sharply  at  the  Colonel  as  if  wishing  to 
tell  him  that  he  did  not  ask  for  a  reply. 

"  But  he  is  bi*ave.  The  only  man  amongst  you  all.  Under- 
stand ?  He  and  Wybicki.  They  should  have  been  born  French- 
men. Ah  !  he  writes  about  you  also.  Excellent !  That  is  what 
I  wished.  You  are  a  brave  man.  I  am  very  glad  :  you  have 
distinguished  yourself  at  the  right  time." 

"I  should  like  to  do  better." 

"  What  ?  Ah !  very  well.  I  am  satisfied  with  you.  You 
shall  remain  with  me." 

Napoleon  stopped  suddenly — put  his  hand  under  his  uniform, 
and  became  thoughtful. 

The  Colonel  stood,  not  knowing  whether  the  audience  was 
finished  or  not. 

After  a  moment  of  silence  the  Emperor  turned,  and  as  if 
recollecting  the  Colonel,  asked  abruptly :  "  Ah,  Lonczynski  I 
And  v.hut  more  have  you  to  tell  me .'' " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  315 

The  Colonel  reddened,  searching  in  vain  for  a  proper  answer. 

The  Emperor  walked  again  across  the  room,  took  a  pinch  of 
snuff,  and  said  :  "  Cold  !     The  country  is  poor,  eh  ?  " 

"Because  of  the  war,  Sii'e." 

''  No  ;  because  of  disorder,  laziness,  incapability.  You  think 
otherwise  }  " 

Lonczynski  was  confused. 

"  Speak !     Why  do  you  not  speak  ? " 

"Your  Majesty,"  began  the  Colonel,  but  before  he  could 
finish  General  Dorsenne  rushed  into  the  room. 

The  Emperor,  at  the  sight  of  the  General's  excitement, 
frowned  and  asked  through  his  set  teeth — 

"  What  is  the  reason  of  this  ?  " 

"  Sire,  the  Guards  refuse  to  obey." 

"What.>" 

''  Yes,  Sire,  mutiny  !     They  refuse  to  execute  the  command." 

The  Emperor  laughed  drily. 

"  Dorsenne,  you  are  a  madman  ! " 

The  General  said  in  despair — 

"  I  would  rather  become  a  madman,  than  come  here  with 
such  news." 

"Speak,  then ! " 

"They  were  dissatisfied  after  the  battle  at  Ilava.  We  did 
our  best.     This  morning  they  asked  for  bread." 

Dorsenne  breathed  deeply  and  lowered  his  voice  :  "I  informed 
all  the  officers ;  we  reported  to  Marshal  Berthier^he  came  at 
once.  He  spoke.  We  all  besought  them,  we  threatened  them — 
all  in  vain.     They  will  not  give  up  their  demands." 

"  What  demands  ?  " 

"  They  demand  either  to  return  to  France  ...  or  ... " 

"  Or  what  ?  " 

"Or  bread." 

"  What  have  you  said  to  that  ?  " 

Dorsenne  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  Sire,  we  cannot  get  any  bread." 

"Why  did  you  not  tell  me  that  before  .'' " 

"Your  Majesty,  we  wanted  to  hide  their  refractoriness  from 
you ;  we  wished  to  save  the  honour  of  your  Guards,  Sire." 

Dorsenne  became  silent.     For  a  moment  only  the  General's 


316  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

heavy  breathing  was  heard  in  the  room.  The  Colonel  stood 
as  if  riveted,  unable  to  grasp  the  horror  of  this  bad  news. 

"  Dorsenne,  you  can  go  ! "  said  Napoleon  suddenly,  in  a  voice 
that  betrayed  no  emotion. 

The  General  looked  at  the  Emperor  with  sm'prised  eyes. 

"I  am  going  there  at  once/'  added  Bonaparte. 

Dorsenne  sounded  his  spurs  while  saluting  awkwardly,  and 
went  out  blindly  obedient. 

The  Emperor  looked  for  a  while  toAvards  the  door  by  which  the 
General  had  gone  out,  then  he  glanced  at  a  table  on  which  were 
lying  a  sword,  three-cornered  hat  and  gloves,  and  said  quietly 
to  the  Colonel :  "  Give  me  my  sword  ! " 

The  Colonel  obeyed  the  command. 

"  Hat !    Gloves  !  "  ordered  Napoleon. 

The  Emperor  girded  on  the  sword,  pressed  on  the  hat,  and 
began  to  put  on  the  gloves. 

The  Colonel  followed  the  Emperor's  every  movement.  Gloomy 
thoughts  swarmed  in  his  head  and  tore  his  heart,  and  horrible 
presentiments  made  him  shiver. 

There  is  a  mutiny  !  Unbridled  madness  that  broke  the  chains 
of  discipline,  and  dared  to  disobey  a  Marshal !  And  here  .  .  . 
he  .  .  .  the  Emperor,  was  going  there  amongst  the  demoralised 
soldiers ! 

Napoleon  buttoned  his  gloves  and  went  with  firm  steps 
towards  the  door.  The  blood  rushed  to  the  Colonel's  head,  his 
legs  gave  way.  .  .  . 

"Your  Majesty ! "  cried  he  with  trembling  voice. 

The  Emperor  turned  round  astonished. 

Lonczynski  knelt. 

"  Sire,  you  cannot  go  there  !  There  is  mutiny  !  Do  not  go. 
Sire ! " 

Napoleon  put  his  hand  on  the  Colonel's  shoulder. 

"  Yes,  you  have  the  same  beautiful  kind  eyes.  I  shall  not 
forget  your  words.  Rise !  You  wish  me  to  be  afraid  of  my 
boys  ?     No  !     Rise  !     Come  with  me  !     Come  !  " 

The  Emperor  went  swiftly  into  the  ante-room  ;  the  Colonel 
followed  him. 

Napoleon  said  a  word  to  the  Mameluke,  who  rushed  out  and 
made  a  sign  to  the  ostlers. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  317 

The  horses  were  brought.  The  Mamektke  gave  the  Emperor 
his  grey  overcoat. 

Napoleon  mounted. 

The  Colonel  jumped  on  the  back  of  the  first  horse.  Several 
officers  rushed  to  the  others. 

The  Emperor  did  not  look  at  his  aide-de-camp,  spurred  his 
horse,  and  galloped  towards  the  suburb  of  Ostród,  where  a 
frightful  mutiny  was  seething.  Those  who  two  weeks  earlier, 
during  a  snowstorm,  advanced  blindly  against  cannons,  those 
who  had  spent  years  in  wars,  who  did  not  understand  how  they 
could  live  without  war,  to  whom  a  bullet  was  a  comrade,  a 
carbine  a  dear  friend,  they  refused  to  obey  ! 

Former  soldiers  of  Hoch,  Kleber,  Joubert,  former  comrades  of 
Lefebvre,  Bernadotte,  Lannes,  Davoust  and  Ney ;  artillei'ymen 
who  remembered  the  thin  Capitain  of  Toulon,  infontrymen  who 
had  as  many  stripes  as  Bonaparte  had  taken  steps  to  the  throne 
— men  of  iron,  harder  than  rocks,  madmen,  whose  whole  pride 
was  a  cross,  whose  whole  happiness  the  Emperor's  smile,  whose 
only  desire  was  to  fight  and  to  die  for  him — the  forefront  of  the 
army,  the  wall  of  Napoleon's  eagles,  glory  of  France,  cradle  of 
heroes,  nursery  of  Bonaparte's  marshals,  dukes,  princes,  and 
kings ;  blind  men,  for  whom  the  only  sun  was  Napoleon ;  a 
croAvd  hardened  by  climbing  the  Alps,  by  fighting  in  the  sands 
of  the  Sahara— such  men  refused  obedience. 

In  the  suburb  of  Ostród,  where  the  extensive  camp  was 
situated,  a  human  ant-hill  was  seething  ;  there  the  Guards  were 
discussing  in  disorderly  groups ;  the  calls  of  officers  were 
answered  by  threatening  growls ;  there  Berthier  was  received 
with  hisses. 

Nothing  could  be  done  ;  enthusiastic  speeches  about  Lodi, 
Abukir,  Austerlitz  and  Arcoli  were  vain.  The  mad  feeling  of 
wrong,  the  longing  for  their  country,  the  lack  of  enthusiasm  for 
further  warfare,  and  finally,  misery — had  broken  discipline. 

"  Enough  of  war  !  We  want  to  go  to  France  !  To  France  !  " 
shouted  the  Guards. 

"  Soldiers,  will  you  then  return  without  laurels  ? "  admonished 
a  young  officer. 

"  We  prefer  to  find  them  in  the  soup,"  answered  an  old 
corporal  boldly. 


318  NArOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  Very  good !  Laurels  in  soup  !  Conduct  us  to  France ! " 
shouted  les  chasseurs  a  cheval. 

"We  will  go  by  ourselves/'  growled  les  grenadiers  a  pied. 

"We  shall  ride/'  corrected  les  grenadiers  a  cheval. 

"  Or  let  them  give  us  bread  !  "  shouted  a  dragoon, 

"Bread  !  Bread  !  "  thundered  the  Guards. 

"We  have  sent  for  it !  "  explained  an  officer  of  les  chasseurs  ń 
pied. 

"  Shut  up,  you  well-fed  doll !     Get  out !  " 

The  officer  withdrew  precipitately. 

"  We  are  going  home,  and  that's  all  about  it." 

"  Vive  la  France  /     Five  le  pain  /  " 

The  flame  of  mutiny  increased  every  minute.  The  regiments 
mixed  with  one  another,  and  above  the  crowd  of  soldiers  rose 
the  martial  faces  of  those  who  were  more  sure  of  themselves. 

" Let  Vraincourt  speak!"  shouted  the  grenadiers.  "Listen 
to  Vraincourt ! " 

"  Black  Michael  will  give  us  advice.  Where  is  Black 
Michael?"  cried  the  dragoons. 

The  demoralised  ranks  were  looking  for  leaders.  The  officers 
went  away,  for  they  understood  that  words  were  useless,  and 
only  bloody  cannonading  would  bring  order. 

At  any  moment  the  Guards  might  pass  from  protest  and 
threatening  to  deeds,  when  all  at  once  the  crowds  moved 
nervously. 

"The  Little  Corporal  is  coming/'  said  numerous  voices. 

"  Let  him  come — we  shall  tell  him  also  !  " 

"Enough  bluffing !  " 

"  He  would  like  to  go  to  the  moon !  " 

"Short  legs  ! " 

"  Like  that  windmill's  wings  !  " 

"  He  will  speak  to  us  about  ambitions." 

"  Old  story  !     Let  him  give  us  bread  !  " 

"  Hold  up,  boys  !  " 

"  He  will  not  bite— fiddlesticks  !  " 

"Wonder  what  he  will  say  !  " 

"  We  will  shout  louder  than  he  !  " 

"  Why  ?     Let  him  talk  for  the  last  time ! " 

"  Here  he  is  !  " 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  319 

The  Emperor  rushed  at  full  gallop  among  the  mutinous 
soldierSj  followed  only  by  Lonczynski. 

The  Guards  became  silent  at  once. 

Bonaparte  reined  in  his  horse^  looked  rounds  and  said  loudly : 
"  What  are  you  doing  here,  you  smutty-nosed  boys  ?  " 

The  soldiers  looked  at  each  other.  The  Emperor's  words 
surpassed  their  expectations^  confused  them,  struck  them  dumb. 

"  Bread  !  "  cried  someone. 

"Breadj  papa,  bread!"  thundered  the  soldiers. 

Bonaparte  laughed,  looked  serenely  at  the  mutinous  soldiers, 
and  slightly  whipped  his  horse. 

"Du  pain?  Eh  hien  il  ny  en  pas!"  said  the  Emperor,  and 
turned  his  horse  towards  the  town. 

Dead  silence  reigned  supreme  over  the  mutinous  Guards. 
All  at  once  six  thousand  hearts  throbbed  quicker ;  six  thousand 
faces  became  brighter ;  six  thousand  bearskins,  casques,  and 
tui'bans  rose  over  the  heads  of  the  demoralised  soldiers  ;  and  six 
thousand  voices  shouted  joyfully  :  Vive  l' Empereur  !  Vive  le  Petit 
Caporal !  " 

"  With  him  and  for  him  !      Five  P Empereur  !     To  the  camp  !  " 

Those  shouts  flew  after  Napoleon  until  he  disappeared  at  the 
turn  of  the  road. 

The  Guards  returned  slowly  to  the  camp,  chatting,  joking, 
and  saluting  the  officers  they  met. 

On  the  place  of  the  mutiny  remained  only  two  would- 
be  leaders — Vraincourt,  the  grenadier,  and  Black  Michael,  the 
dragoon. 

Vraincourt  looked  at  Michael,  and  Michael  at  Vraincourt ; 
then  both  sighed. 

"  What  now .''  "  mumbled  Michael. 

Vraincourt  pushed  his  bearskin  over  his  eyes. 

"  He  spoke." 

"  The  deuce  !  " 

"  Do  not  speak,  because  .  .  ." 

"  We  were  full  of  words." 

"  As  if  we  could,  without  him  ! " 

"  We  must  go  the  Colonel." 

"  Let  them  shoot  us  ! " 

"  They  must ! " 


320  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"Let  us  be  going." 

"What  did  he  say?" 

"Smutty-nosed  boys." 

"  And  we  wanted  to  go  to  France — as  if  we  could^  without 
him ! " 

"  We  are  blockheads  !  " 

"  Scoundrels ! " 

"  Vra  in  court ! " 

"What?" 

"  I  think  that  for  such  scoundrelly  behaviour  it  will  not  be 
enough  to  be  shot." 

"  Certainly,  we  shall  be  hanged." 

"Without  trial." 

"  We  must  accuse  ourselves  honestly." 

The  mutiny  was  over. 

The  Emperor  returned  to  his  quarters,  quiet,  thoughtful,  not 
paying  any  attention  to  the  enthusiastic  astonishment  of  his 
staff.  Lonczynski  followed  the  Emperor,  staring  at  his  grey 
overcoat,  not  seeing  anything  but  him. 

Reaching  his  quarters,  Napoleon  turned  slightly  and  called 
the  Colonel. 

"  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  you.  I  am  doubly  satisfied, 
for  I  have  convinced  myself  that  you  are  worthy  of  your 
appointment." 

"Sire!" 

"  You  will  report  yourself  in  the  afternoon  also  !  " 

The  Colonel  had  no  time  to  thank  him  for  that  favour,  for 
the  Emperor  entered  the  courtyard  of  his  quarters,  where, 
having  dismounted  quickly,  he  disappeared  in  the  doorway. 

The  Colonel  handed  his  horse,  as  did  the  other  officers,  to 
the  ostlers,  and  was  intending  to  return  to  his  rooms,  when 
he  met  Flahaut. 

"  I  was  just  looking  for  you  !  " 

"It  was  my  duty,  sir.  Have  you  seen — what ?  And  what  do 
you  think  ?     He  alone  can  manage  them  !     Is  it  not  true  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  words  to  express  my  astonishment." 

"  Every  day  we  have  something  new  here ;  not  only  the 
Guards,  but  we  all.  ...  I  do  not  know  if  three  men  could 
be  found  who  would  not  be  paralysed  by  the  Emperor's  one 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  S21 

word.  He  is  a  sorcerer  !  What  ?  Ah,  the  Prince  de  Bassano 
asked  after  you.  Perhaps  you  would  be  kind  enough  to  go 
into  the  Emperor's  waiting-room." 

"  But  I  have  not  .  .   ." 

"  Precisely,  because  you  have  neither  audience  nor  a  report. 
You  shall  rest  for  a  while.  That  is  where  we  all  assemble — a 
kmd  of  club.  And  then  it  would  be  a  pity  for  us  all,  if  you 
would  not  deign  to  be  with  us,  for  as  the  hero  of  the  day  .  .  ." 

"  Captain,  you  are  joking  ?  " 

"It  is  as  1  say.     You  shall  convince  yourself! " 

Flahaut  was  right,  for  hardly  had  the  Colonel  passed  the 
threshold  of  the  Emperor's  waiting-room  than  he  was  greeted 
by  a  long  whisper  of  voices  pi'onouncing  his  name,  and  this 
whisper  was  followed  by  hand-shakes  and  compliments. 

The  Colonel  could  hardly  answer  all  those  civilities ;  but 
attentive  Flahaut,  with  all  the  freedom  and  self-assurance, 
helped  him,  assuming  not  only  the  role  of  a  guide,  but  also 
emphasising  his  friendship,  by  which  he  overawed  those  present. 

Amidst  that  torrent  of  SAveet  words  disturbing  the  Colonel's 
thoughts,  the  vigilant  Captain  Flahaut  rushed  to  him  again. 

"Colonel,  the  Prince  of  Bassano  wislies  to  talk  with  you." 

"The  Prince  of  Bassano?" 

"  If  you  will  be  so  kind — to  the  left.'  And  before  Lonczynski 
could  notice,  his  hand  was  grasped  by  that  of  powerful  M. 
Maret. 

"You  are  my  neighbour,"  said  the  Prince  simply.  "To  my 
great  sorrow,  however,  I  am  leaving  here,  and  I  was  afraid 
to  lose  the  opportunity  of  making  your  acquaintance.  There- 
fore, I  ventured  to  trouble  you." 

"  It  is  an  honour  to  me  !  " 

"Colonel,  permit  me  to  congratulate  you.  The  Emperor 
spoke  well  of  you  a  little  while  since.  I  am  sure  we  shall  see 
each  other  often — very  often !  I  shall  be  very  pleased  if  you 
permit  me  to  be  of  any  use  to  you." 

"  Your  kindness  .   .  ." 

"You  must  not  talk  in  that  way  to  me.  I  am  Wybicki's 
friend.     I  am  sure  you  know  him." 

"I  used  to  see  him  formerly  in  our  iegion,  but  we  were 
divided  by  the  abyss  of  inequality  of  rank." 


322  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

''I  understand,  but  such  abysses  disappear  sometimes.  .  .  , 
I  am  going  to-day  to  Warsaw.  Perhaps  you  have  some  errand  ? 
Letters  ?  " 

"I  would  not  dare  ..." 

Bassano  smiled  good-humouredly. 

"  The  idea,  my  dear  Colonel !  it  is  our  duty  to  be  useful  to  one 
another.  You  will  do  me  a  true  favour  by  giving  me  some 
errand.  And  you  must  not  despise  the  opportunity,  for  it  is  far, 
and  communication  is  difficult." 

"  If  I  knew  I  should  not  be  abusing  .   .  ," 

"Well,  come,  my  dear  Colonel!    Anything  you  want  ..." 

"Well,  then,  I  have  a  sister,  who  must  be  in  Warsaw.  I 
should  like  to  send  her  a  letter." 

"You  have  tAvo  sisters,"  corrected  Bassano. 

"Yes,  but  I  wish  to  write  to  the  elder  one,  the  one  who  is 
married." 

"  To  Madame  Walewska  ?  " 

"  You  know  her  ?  " 

"  My  dear  Colonel,  how  could  I  help  knowing  her  ?  Would  it 
be  possible  ?  " 

"  If  I  might  dare  to  ask  you  to  take  a  letter  ..." 

Bassano  looked  surprised  at  the  Colonel. 

"  You  wish  to  send  a  letter  to  Madame  Walewska  to  Warsaw .'' " 

"  Yes  ;  but  should  it  be  inconvenient  to  you  .   .  ." 

"  Not  at  all !  Only,  do  you  think  that  Madame  Walewska  is 
in  Warsaw  ?  " 

"  Undoubtedly  !  " 

"  H'm !  such  bemg  the  case — with  pleasure  !  At  any  i*ate, 
you  may  be  sure  that  the  letter  will  reach  her.  In  an  hour  I 
will  send  my  servant  to  you." 

Lonczynski  thanked  the  Prince  heartily,  and  having  taken 
leave  of  M.  Flahaut,  returned  to  his  quarters,  in  order  not  to 
lose  an  opportunity  of  sharing  with  his  dear  Mary  the  news 
about  his  unexpected  appointment,  about  his  stay  in  Ostród, 
about  the  conversation  with  Napoleon,  and  about  the  whole 
revolution  that  had  happened  in  the  poor  life  of  the  lieutenant. 

Hardly  was  the  letter  finished  and  handed  to  the  Prince  of 
Bassano's  servant  than  Captain  Flahaut  came  to  remind  him 
that  he  must  pay  a  visit  to  Marshal  Berthier. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  323 

It  was  impossible  to  avoid  the  honour  of  visiting  the  Vice- 
Constable,  as  well  as  of  making  some  other  solemn  calls. 

Lonczynski  did  as  was  suggested  by  the  Captain,  and  when  at 
last  he  was  going  with  him  to  his  rooms,  he  thanked  him 
heartily  for  the  trouble  and  fatigue  caused  to  him. 

Flahaut  interrupted  the  thanks  by  a  modest  remark :  "  It  is 
not  worth  while  to  speak  about  such  a  trifle." 

"  I  do  not  agree  with  you,  and  I  consider  myself  your  debtor." 

"  Then  you  can  make  things  square  with  one  word." 

"  I  shall  be  very  pleased  indeed." 

"  If  you  could  obtain  for  me  to  be  transferred  to  the  general 
staff  and  leave  to  Paris." 

Lonczynski  was  surprised. 

"Excuse  me.  Captain,  but  I  do  not  understand." 

"  It  is  a  long  story.  I  am  tired  of  being  aide-de-camp  to  the 
Prince  of  Berg.     I  do  not  know  whether  you  know  him.  ..." 

"  Not  at  all." 

"  He  is  very  queer.  He  is  fantastic,  conceited  ;  in  one  word, 
service  with  him  is  not  very  agreeable.  I  have  endured  it  for 
a  long  time,  but  cannot  any  longer,  and  as  my  family  affairs  call 
me  to  Paris,  I  should  like  to  combine  a  transfer  with  my  leave." 

"  Captain,  I  understand,  but  what  can  I  do .''  How  can  I  do 
anything  ?  " 

"  Is  this  little  favour  too  great  a  trouble .'' "  said  Flahaut, 
offended. 

Lonczynski  burst  out  into  hearty  laughter. 

"Captain,  excuse  me — I  take  that  for  a  joke  !  I  should  like 
with  all  my  whole  heart — but  what  do  I  amount  to  }  I  have  no 
influence  to  get  that  for  you." 

"  You  can  do  it  very  easily." 

"How?     Tell  me,  then." 

^'To-morrow,  when  you  meet  Marshal  Berthier,  during  the 
conversation  with  him,  say  two  words  to  him  about  me." 

"Where  shall  I  meet  him  ?  " 

"  In  the  Emperor's  waiting-room.  Berthier  will  first  speak  to 
you.     He  must !  " 

"Very  well,  then.  I  will  tell  him,  but  I  do  not  guarantee 
success." 

"  I  am  sure  of  success,  and  I  thank  you  for  it  in  advance.     I 


324  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

am  very  grateful  to  you.  Here  are  your  quarters  !  I  have  the 
honour  to  wish  you  good-bye," 

The  Colonel  became  thoughtful.  "  Captain^  niay  I  ask  you 
for  a  moment  of  conversation  in  my  rooms .'' " 

"I  am  at  yoiu-  service." 

They  entered  the  Colonel's  quarters,  and  Lonczynski,  having 
seated  the  Captain  at  the  fireplace,  said  to  him  :  "  And  now 
favour  for  favour." 

'^Always  at  your  service  !  " 

"You  are  a  man  of  honour.  Forget  about  the  difference  of 
my  charge,  and  be  my  friend." 

"  Colonel,  to-day  .   .  ." 

"And  tell  me  frankly,  to  what  exactly  do  I  amount  here.''" 

"To  very  much,"  said  Flahaut  precipitately. 

"That  means  nothing  to  me.  I  will  be  frank.  A  few  days 
since  I  was  a  lieutenant,  who  dreamed  in  vain  of  the  epaulettes 
of  a  captain,  for  whom  you  were  an  authority.  I  have  not  done 
anything  extraordinary.  .   .  ." 

"  I  protest  most  emphatically." 

Lonczynski  became  gloomy. 

"Captain,  I  asked  you  to  be  frank.  If  you  say  that  the 
Italian  Legion  had  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  me,  I  agree 
with  you ;  but  all  that  does  not  explain  to  ine  the  mystery  why 
you  all  consider  me  to  be  a  man  of  importance  ;  to  what  I  may 
attribute  such  a  distinction." 

Flahaut  could  not  conceal  his  embarrassment. 

"  Colonel,  it  is  natural.  The  Emperor  pleased  to  do  that ! 
The  circumstances  .  .  ." 

"  That  does  not  explain  to  me  .  .  ." 

"Destiny,  Colonel!  The  Emperor  could  not  do  otherwise. 
And  then  ..." 

"  There  are  better  and  more  worthy  .  .  ." 

"  No,  positively,  no  !  " 

Lonczynski  pressed  more  and  more.  The  Captain  continued 
to  give  evasive  answers.     At  last  the  Colonel  became  irritated. 

"  Captain,  upon  your  honour !  From  your  words  I  gather 
that  you  know  something,  and  you  must  understand  my  curiosity, 
or  being  more  precise  my  duty  to  be  curious." 

Flahaut  frowned. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  325 

"  Colonel,  I  respect  not  only  your  rank,  but  also  the  man  in 
you.     I  know  but  very  little.  .  .  ." 

"  Then  tell  me  ...  I  must  know  the  whole  truth  !  Where 
did  my  promotion  come  from  ?  I  am  sure  there  was  some  talk 
about  it.  I  have  convinced  myself  how  well  everyone  here 
knows.  If  the  Emperor  wished  to  have  some  one  on  his  staff, 
then  why  have  I  been  chosen  }  " 

"  Ah  !  nothing  strange  in  that.  Simply  some  one,  without 
your  knowing  of  it,  has  rendered  you  the  same  service  as  I  asked 
of  you.  It  was  sufficient  to  mention  to  the  Emperor  at  the  proper 
moment.     And  then  .  .  ." 

"What  then .^" 

"  The  rest  depended  on  you.  This  morning  one  might  doubt 
if  you  would  be  able  to  keep  on  the  surface.  It  is  very  difficult 
with  the  Emperor.  You  were  lucky  enough  to  win  his  favour 
at  once.  The  audience  decided.  You  are  on  the  list  of  the 
Court,  I  have  seen  it  with  my  own  eyes.  And  the  man  who 
stands  so  near  the  Empei'or  is  feared  here." 

The  reasoning  seemed  logical  to  the  Colonel. 

"I  agree  on  that  point,  but  I  do  not  know  anybody  who 
would  have  spoken  in  my  favour." 

"Well,  in  Warsaw  the  Emperor  was  very  accessible." 

"  No,  no  !  I  cannot  thuak  of  anybody.  It  is  true  that  I  have 
a  brother-in-law,  by  name  Walewski,  but  I  never  saw  him  in 
my  life,  and  I  have  some  reasons  to  think  that,  were  he  able,  he 
would  rather  ask  for  my  dismissal." 

"  H'm  !     And  Madame  Walewska  ? " 

"  My  sister !  You  must  know  her  but  very  little.  She  is 
the  best  soul,  and  very  fond  of  me,  but  she  would  not  dare. 
She  is  not  capable  of  having  such  an  idea  ! " 

There  was  a  puzzling  smile  on  the  Captain's  face. 

"  But  often  women  can  do  most.     They  all  can  !  " 

"  You  do  not  know  her  !  "  interrupted  Lonczynski  bitterly. 

"An  innocent  conjecture,  without  any  intention  !  " 

The  Colonel  changed  the  subject  of  conversation.  Flahaut 
remained  a  while  longer,  and  then  took  leave,  reminding 
Lonczynski  about  his  protection  with  Berthier. 

The  Colonel  having  remained  alone,  called  his  orderly,  told 
him  to  wake  him  after  the  first  sound  of  the  reveille,  and  retired. 


326  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

After  the  day,  full  of  such  different  impressions,  Lonczynski 
desired  rest ;  he  did  not  want  either  to  think  of  events,  solve 
his  doubts,  or  try  to  think  Avhat  the  next  day  would  bring  to  him. 
He  wanted  to  sleep,  to  forget,  to  find  rest  for  his  sorrowful 
head,  to  cool  his  burning  imagination.  But,  notwithstanding 
all  the  efforts  of  his  will  to  banish  the  thoughts  that  crowded 
on  his  brain,  sleep  did  not  come,  the  irritated  brain  was  working 
with  double  activity. 

The  pictures  seen  returned  to  him,  the  words  heard  sounded 
in  his  ears,  he  fell  into  a  vicious  circle  of  the  same  reminis- 
cences. Only  towards  morning  he  became  quieter,  he  was 
even  slumbering,  when  he  suddenly  woke  up  and  remembered 
the  papers  taken  from  the  peasant. 

That  remembrance  made  him  get  up,  and  aroused  in  him  a 
storm  of  remorse ;  it  crushed  him  and  filled  him  with  fright. 

He,  a  Colonel  of  the  Imperial  Staff,  an  officer,  whose  duty 
was  to  embrace,  as  widely  as  possible,  all  the  needs  of  the 
army,  having  acquired  by  chance  documents  of  such  importance, 
keeps  them  in  his  possession  ;  does  not  care  that  perhaps 
the  Emperor  may  be  waiting  for  the  news  from  Klayped,  that 
perhaps  Bertrand  is  counting  the  hours  and  minutes,  and 
waiting  for  new  orders.  And  he,  a  Colonel  of  the  Staff,  so 
honoured,  who  was  made  a  person  of  importance,  who  ought 
to  possess  some  military  talents,  some  future  merits,  had 
forgotten  a  duty  so  simple  that  the  lowest  soldier  would 
remember  it.  And  he  had  such  an  opportimity !  He  was 
asked  twice  what  had  he  to  say. 

Lonczynski,  frightened  by  such  a  merciless  deduction,  began 
to  dress  hastily,  not  wisliing  to  lose  one  minute  more.  But 
when  he  plunged  his  face  into  a  basin  of  cold  water,  quite 
different  thoughts  came  to  his  mind.  The  whole  gloomy, 
awful  contents  of  the  documents  in  his  possession  rose  before 
him  and  froze  the  blood  in  his  veins. 

In  the  half  light  of  dawn  the  Colonel  noticed  the  silver 
epaulettes  on  his  carefully  laid  out  uniform,  and  laughed  drily 
to  himself.  Who  was  he  ?  Of  course,  a  scoundrel  whom 
Bonaparte  had  purchased,  and  who  was  ready  to  sell  him  his 
soul ;  who  was  glad  that  Napoleon's  favours  were  showered 
upon  him. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  327 

A  few  days  ago  the  reading  of  such  documents  would  have 
made  him  call  out  with  indignation ;  and  to-day,  he  is  like 
a  dog  who,  having  found  a  collar  in  the  road,  brings  it  to  his 
master  without  any  care  that  he  may  be  obliged  to  wear  it ;  a 
dog  who  is  glad  when  he  is  patted  or  when  he  gets  a  bone  as 
a  reward. 

Infamous,  a  hundred  times  !  For  what  had  he  found  in  these 
documents  ? 

Well,  nothing  more  or  less  than  that  Napoleon  was  playing 
false  with  the  Prussians,  that  he  was  exciting  the  Poles  in  order 
to  frighten  the  Germans  and  get  better  conditions  from  them. 

And  that  awful  truth  unveiling  Bonaparte's  plotting,  was 
it  not  sufficient  to  tear  from  his  uniform  the  epaulettes  and  any 
gratitude  for  favours  ? 

Lonczynski  felt  a  contempt  for  himself.  He  seemed  to  himself 
like  a  common  villain.  For,  even  a  few  moments  ago,  he  was  so 
upset,  not  by  the  contents  of  the  documents,  but  by  not  having 
handed  them  to  the  Emperor. 

He  was  simply  intoxicated  with  his  own  rank,  with  flattery 
and  adulation. 

He  had  seemed  to  himself  to  be  walking  on  the  heights,  and 
had  not  felt  that  none  of  the  marauders  of  the  Legions  had  yet 
fallen  so  low. 

It  was  done  ;  but  now  he  would  not  bear  it  any  longer.  He 
had  been  told  that  the  Polish  commissary  Batowski  was  in 
Ostród,  and  that  Count  Stanislaus  Potocki  was  here  also ;  he 
would  begin  by  them — would  let  them  know. 

He  got  the  documents  by  an  accident.  It  is  not  his  duty  to 
have  any  scruples  about  keeping  them  secret.  Perhaps  he  will 
lose  his  epaulettes.  No  matter.  He  does  not  need  them,  for 
he  is  not  going  to  hire  himself. 

Tormented  by  such  sentiments  Lonczynski  finished  dressing, 
put  a  cloak  over  his  shoulders  and  rushed  out. 

The  reveille  was  sounding  in  the  guard-house.  The  small 
streets  of  Ostród  were  still  quiet — only  here  and  there  one 
could  hear  conversation  between  ostlers  and  orderlies. 

The  Colonel  determined  first  of  all  to  find  the  commissary 
Batowski ;  but  nobody  could  tell  him  where  he  was,  therefore 
he  understood  that  he  must  wait  until  people  got  up.     In  order 


328  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

to  shorten  his  -waiting  he  strolled  about  the  streets,  and  did  not 
notice  that  he  had  come  to  the  square  in  which  stood  the  house 
occupied  by  the  Emperor.  Attracted  by  a  crowd  of  servants  he 
stopped,  and  among  a  group  of  lackeys  he  noticed  one  who 
wore  big  moustachios,  and  who  seemed  to  excite  a  great 
hilarity,  for  all  round  him  laughed  heartily. 

Lonczynski  did  not  know  why  he  was  attracted  by  the 
possessor  of  the  moustachios.  The  lackeys  laughed  continually, 
evidently  amused  by  the  man.  At  that  moment  a  uniform  of 
the  Imperial  Commissary  appeared  in  the  side  door,  and  the 
lackeys  scattered  silently. 

The  Colonel  moved  on  also,  but  seeing  a  lackey  coming  in  his 
direction,  said  to  him  in  a  tone  of  reproach — 

"  Are  you  not  ashamed  to  tease  the  old  man  ?  " 

The  lackey  at  the  sight  of  the  hat  of  a  colonel  took  off  his 
cap. 

'•  But  he  is  very  amusing,  sir." 

"  Because  he  is  old  ?  " 

"  No,  sir !  He  does  not  know  one  word  of  French,  and  he 
would  talk ! " 

"Who  is  he?" 

"They  say  he  is  a  Pole,  with  a  lady  .      .  " 

The  Colonel  looked  towards  the  moustachioed  man,  who  was 
also  coming  in  his  direction.  Lonczynski  looked  attentively  at 
the  man,  for,  strange  to  say,  if  it  wei-e  not  for  his  green  uniform 
with  gold  buttons  and  braid  and  his  three-cornered  hat,  he 
could  swear  that  he  was  his  father's  former  gamekeeper. 

That  impression  became  so  strong  that  the  Colonel,  recollect- 
ing what  the  lackey  said  about  the  man's  nationality,  could  not 
refrain  from  saying  to  him  in  Pohsh :  "  Well,  old  man,  how  did 
you  come  to  the  Court  ?  " 

The  man,  at  the  sound  of  Lonczynski's  voice,  stopped  as  if 
petrified,  looked  astonished,  and  before  the  Colonel  could 
understand  what  was  happening,  fell  at  his  feet :  "  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  !     It's  our  young  lord  !  " 

"John!" 

"  The  same !  I  did  not  think  I  should  have  lived  to  have 
such  a  joy !     Jesus !  Jesus ! " 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  see  you,  old  man !     I  looked  at  you,  and 


NAFOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  329 

could  not  believe  my  own  eyes  .  .  .  you,  wearing  the  Imperial 
livery.  ..." 

John  cleared  his  throat,  rubbed  his  eyes,  and  said  with 
emotion  :  '^^Such  a  joy  !  Such  a  joy  !  A  little  while  ago  I  was 
thinking  of  you,  my  lord  !  The  years  passed  in  waiting,  expect- 
ing and  longing." 

"  I  have  not  been  lost,  as  you  see.  Well,  come  to  my  rooms, 
there  opposite  ;  I  have  been  here  since  yesterday,  and  we  did 
not  know  about  each  other," 

The  Colonel  conducted  him  to  his  quarters,  told  him  to  sit 
down,  and  said :  "  I  could  hardly  expect  a  more  agreeable 
surprise.     Look,  John  !     What  ?     We  are  both  alive  !     What  ?  " 

"  My  lord  !  Permit  me  to  rise  ;  I  am  your  lordship's  servant." 

"^Sit  down.  You  are  a  friend.  And  besides  that,  you  wear 
the  Imperial  hvery ;  then  you  are  somebody  by  that.  Well, 
well !  I  should  never  have  thought  of  meeting  you  here,  for  I 
could  not  imagine  it.  How  came  you  to  be  separated  from  our 
house  in  Kiernozia.  Do  not  excuse  yourself.  I  understand  .  .  , 
all  is  changed  there,  and  nol,  for  the  better  ...  I  am  not  angry 
with  you  about  that.  ..." 

"  But,  my  lord  ..." 

"  I  know,  I  know !  Good  old  times,  although  hard !  But 
how  the  deuce  did  you  come  to  the  Imperial  Court?" 

"Well  .  .  .  they  told  me  about  a  week  since  to  dress  like 
that,  for  otherwise  it  is  difficult  to  pass.  But  I  do  not  find 
either  honour  or  pleasure  in  that." 

"  Wait  a  moment,  for  I  do  not  understand.  In  whose  service 
are  you,  then .'' " 

John  raised  his  bushy  eyebrows  at  the  Colonel,  and  said 
jovially :  "  My  dear  lord,  who  would  take  such  an  old  thing  as 
I  am  ?     I  serve  our  lady,  as  God  commanded  !  " 

"  Mary  !  "  exclaimed  Lonczynski  joyfully. 

"  Yes,  yes,  always  !  How  could  she,  poor  thing,  do  without 
me  ?     And  then  it  is  my  right  to  be  with  my  lady." 

A  warm  wave  of  reminiscences  rushed  to  the  Colonel's  head, 
but  he  dominated  the  emotion,  and  said  :  "  But  you  swore  to 
me  that  you  would  never  leave  my  sister,  and  you  are  here. 
What  are  you  doing  at  the  Court  ?  " 

"And  could  I  leave  my  lady  alone .'' " 


330  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Loncz)rnski  got  up  as  quickly  as  he  could. 

"  Where  is  she,  then  ?  " 

''Where  could  she  be?  .  .  .  Here!" 

"  Here !  Mary !  The  Chambei'lain's  wife  !  Pani  Walewska  ?  " 
said  the  Colonel  with  increasing  astonishment. 

"  Yes,  my  lord !  Do  you  see  those  three  windows  on  the 
first  flow  ? " 

"Those  windows .''     But  that  is  where  the  Emperor  is  !  " 

John  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"What  of  that?" 

Lonczynski  thought  that  a  madman  was  talking  to  him,  but 
having  glanced  on  the  quiet,  smiling,  good-hearted  face  of  the 
old  servant,  he  said:  "  Do  not  talk  nonsense,  for  you  irritate  me." 

"Am  I  a  liar?" 

"Answer,  then!"  interrupted  the  Colonel  sharply.  "Where 
is  my  sister?  " 

"  Here,  in  Ostród," 

"  When  did  she  come  ? " 

"To-morrow  will  be  two  weeks." 

"Where  does  she  live?" 

The  old  man  pointed  at  a  window  looking  on  the  street. 

"There!" 

The  Colonel  put  his  hat  on. 

"Take  me  to  her  ?  " 

John  moved  his  head. 

"Not  for  an  hour.  It  is  breakfast-time  now.  Nobody  can 
enter." 

"Are  you  drunk  ?  " 

"  No,  my  lord,  but  it  is  as  I  said.  Yesterday  morning  their 
greatest  General  wanted,  and  he  could  not  enter.  I  spoke  to 
my  lady,  but  she  said  it  must  be  so." 

"Then  I  shall  see  the  Chamberlain,"  said  the  Colonel,  not 
understanding  the  meaning  of  John's  Avords. 

"His  lordship,  the  Chamberlain?  But  .  .  .  but  he  is  not 
here ! " 

"He  is  not  here  !  "  repeated  Lonczynski  mechanically. 

"  No,  and  as  it  seems,  as  he  did  not  exist  at  all.  Oh,  a 
hard  master !  My  lord  is  impatient.  And  if  she  knew  !  She 
speaks  of  you,  sir,  continually.      But  it  will  be  soon,  for  the 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  331 

Mamelukes  are  already  there.  A  little  while  longer^  and  the 
Emperor  will  come  out." 

At  this  conclusion  a  kind  of  lightning  rushed  through  the 
Colonel's  head — he  was  thunderstruck.  He  covered  his  face 
with  his  hands  as  if  he  wished  to  look  within  him.  Only  now 
he  understood  everything :  his  appointment,  compliments, 
flattery,  bows,  and  a  whole  series  of  circumstances  incompre- 
hensible to  him  till  now.  A  few  words  of  his  old  servant 
opened  to  him  the  whole  horror  of  the  situation. 

John  at  the  sight  of  the  Colonel's  change  of  face,  became 
sorrowful. 

"  My  lord,  may  I  ask  you  what  is  the  matter  with  you  ? 
Have  I  said  what  I  should  not }  I  am  old,  and  I  do  not  under- 
stand evei'y  thing." 

The  Colonel  shook  off  his  torpor,  looked  at  the  old  man,  and 
said  through  his  set  teeth — 

"  You  must  tell  me  the  whole  truth.  How  did  she  come 
here  ?     Speak  !  " 

John  grew  pale. 

''  My  lord,  God  is  my  witness  ..." 

The  Colonel  seized  him  by  the  shoulder  and  shook  him. 

"  No  useless  words  !     Speak  !     Who  is  with  her  ? " 

"Two  maids  and  I,"  muttered  John. 

"And  she  is  there — she  lives  with  him .'' " 

"  Yes." 

"And  her  husband  remained  in  Warsaw  ?  " 

"They  are  going  to  be  divorced." 

"  So !  She  found  that  she  could  live  a  happier,  gayer,  and 
more  magnificent  life." 

"To  be  sure!"  muttered  John.  "At  least,  there  is  no  one 
to  scold  her,  to  abuse  her." 

"  Shut  up  !     You  will  go  with  me  to  her  at  once  !  " 

The  old  man  trembled. 

"Would  it  not  be  better  to  wait  until  the  anger  passes.^  .  .  ." 

"It  is  none  of  your  concern,"  grumbled  the  Colonel,  and 
began  to  put  on  his  cloak. 

"  Come ! " 

John  breathed  heavily,  and  went  towards  the  house  occupied 
by  the  Emperor. 


332  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

The  Colonel  followed  him,  not  paying  any  attention  either  to 
military  salutes  or  to  the  officers  greeting  him. 

Lonczynski  did  not  see  anything  except  the  green  uniform 
of  the  lackey  and  his  grey  hair.  That  uniform  led  him  to 
her — to  the  infamous  one — to  the  one  who,  until  now,  had  been 
the  dearest  in  the  world  to  him,  of  whom  he  had  thought  con- 
stantly for  years,  to  the  one  whom  he  had  carried  in  his  arms, 
for  Avhose  silvery  laughter  he  was  longing,  whom  he  considered 
as  the  better  half  of  his  soul,  and  who  was  now  covering  him 
with  such  shame. 

Lonczynski  walked  thinking.  She,  purer  than  the  dew,  more 
modest  than  a  violet,  crying  with  laughter  and  smiling  through 
her  tears,  a  child,  a  most  tender-hearted  little  sister,  she  is 
here,  in  the  whirlpool  of  the  Emperor's  headquarters,  on  the 
billows  of  a  wild  life.  Her  name  pronounced  by  the  lowest 
servant,  her  name  repeated  in  the  whisper  of  the  Court 
intrigues,  her  name  laughed  at  by  soldiers  sitting  round  fires. 
At  the  price  of  her  name,  he  had  the  epaulettes  of  a  colonel, 
a  cross,  and  a  bag  of  napoleons.  He  had  become  a  man  of 
importance.  They  had  paid  him.  They  had  paid  him,  not  for 
years  spent  in  misery,  not  for  wounds,  not  for  days  of  hunger, 
not  for  having  sacrificed  himself,  for  all  that  would  not  be 
worth  such  magnificence.     They  paid  him  for  Mary  ! 

The  Colonel  was  seized  by  a  spasm  of  laughter. 

"  Only  that  for  Mary  ?     What  a  miserably  paltry  price  !  " 

John  stopped  suddenly  at  the  side  door  leading  to  the 
Emperor's  quarters  and  drew  back,  seeing  a  commissary  of  the 
palace  standing  at  the  door. 

The  Colonel  stopped  involuntarily,  and  looked  threateningly 
at  the  Court  official. 

"You  will  be  so  kind,  sir,  to  pass  by  the  other  door  to  the 
reception  room." 

"  Let  me  pass  !  I  must  see  her  !  " 

"  I  have  no  order.     You  must  speak  to  M.  de  Segur."  .^ 

"I  want  to  see  Madame  Walewska,  not  M.  de  Segur." 

The  official  became  confused. 

"  You  are  mistaken  .  .  .  Madame  Walewska  ..." 

Lonczynski  made  a  disdainful  grimace. 

"  You  wish  to  stop  me  from  seeing  my  sister .'' " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  333 

"  Ah,  Colonel  Lonczynski ! "  whispered  the  commissaiy, 
respectfully  stepping  aside. 

The  Colonel  rushed  upstairs,  but  was  stopped  by  a  chamber- 
maid. 

"Madame  Walewska.''"  asked  Lonczynski  through  set  teeth. 

"Here  to  the  left,  but  Madame  .   .  .  just  now  ..." 

LonczjTiski  pushed  aside  the  maid  and  rushed  into  the  apart- 
men7,  arousing  at  every  moment  exclamations  of  surprise  among 
the  chambermaids  putting  the  rooms  in  order.  The  Colonel 
paid  no  attention  to  the  protests,  he  was  not  abashed  by  the 
quiet  of  the  boudoir,  and  went  further  to  the  Imperial  apart- 
ment. 

He  tvu-ned  to  the  door  on  the  left.  The  door  Avas  half-closed, 
so  that  one  could  see  what  was  going  on  in  the  next  room. 

LonczjTiski  looked,  and  stopped  as  though  turned  to  stone,  so 
much  vras  he  struck  by  the  picture  which  he  beheld. 

A  few  steps  from  him,  there,  in  the  room,  at  the  table 
magnificently  set,  sat  Napoleon,  and  opposite  him  a  lady.  A 
beautiful  lady,  dressed  in  blue  silk,  smiling  cunningly,  chatting 
freely  with  Napoleon,  filling  the  role  of  hostess  without  any 
embarrassment — a  lady  in  every  movement,  in  every  joint  of 
the  pink  fingers  of  her  little  hand — ^^ne  grandę  dame  ! 

They  were  talking. 

The  Emperor  begged — and  he  did  it  so  awkwardly,  so  bash- 
fully, that  the  Colonel  could  not  help  smiling.  Was  it  the  same 
Napoleon,  the  conqueror  Avho  knew  not  resistance— thoughtful, 
abstracted  from  everything  that  was  not  powerful,  not  mad,  not 
great.''  Then  that  face,  which  had  frowned  majestically,  those 
steely  looks,  were  able  to  have  such  a  serene  expression,  they 
could  contain  so  much  tender  embarrassment ;  and  that  voice 
could  be  not  imperative  ? 

"  Do  this  for  me — only  once,"  insisted  Bonaparte. 

"You  wish  me  to  learn  how  to  break  my  oath.^"  answered 
the  lady. 

"  Child  !     But  those  presents  did  not  come  from  me  !  " 

"  It  is  true,  but  were  I  simply  Madame  Walewska,  the  Persian 
ambassador  would  care  nothing  for  me  !  And  so  those  things 
were  sent  for  you  ? " 

"Consequently  for  you  also  !  " 


334f  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  No,  no ! " 

"  I  do  not  wear  shawls." 

"  But  they  belong  to  the  Empress  of  the  French." 
''You  wish  to  tease   me  to-day,  although  I  beg — I  beg  so 
nicely  of  you !     Then  I   cannot  give  you  anything  at  all  ?     I 
know  what  you  will  tell  me.    But  it  was  understood  between  us 
that  there  is  no  Emperor  here." 

"Ah,  it  is  true,"  answered  Madame  Walewksa  sighing,  and, 
having  risen  from  the  table,  she  went  to  the  large  open  chest, 
and  from  a  pile  of  fabrics  she  took  a  blue  Persian  shawl. 

"I  will  keep  this  one." 

"  But  it  is  the  worst  one." 

The  lady  came  to  Napoleon  and  put  her  little  finger  on  his 
mouth. 

"There  is  no  Emperor  here — I  command  in  this  place." 

Bonaparte  kissed  the  fingers  passionately. 

"  Always !  Always !  Only  that  colour  is  not  becoming  to 
you — you  told  me  so  yourself." 

"  But  Jeannette  Radziwil  is  fond  of  it." 

"What  shall  I  do  with  the  rest.?  1  was  so  glad  that  I  should 
be  able  to  please  you." 

"Let  us  be  wise.  It  would  not  be  right  to  neglect  the 
Empress.     She  has  not  many  bright  moments  in  her  life." 

Bonaparte  frowned. 

"It  is  her  fault." 

"  But  you  told  me  that  you  respect  the  Empress  in  her,  and 
you  chei'ish  her  as  a  friend." 

"  Yes,  it  is  true  !  You  are  right !  You  are  good-hearted, 
immensely  so,  and  always  disinterested." 

"  Ah,  permit  me  !     To-day  I  have  a  request  ..." 

"  Speak — hundreds — thousands  of  requests  !     What  is  it  ?  " 

"Ask  an  audience  for  me  of  the  Emperor  !  " 

Napoleon  laughed  heartily,  and  assuming  a  comical  gravity, 
he  said — 

"It  is  granted  this  very  moment." 

Pani  Walewska  executed  with  an  amusing  exaggeration  three 
curtseys. 

"Sire!" 

"Madame,  I  am  pleased  to  see  you." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  335 

"Your  kindness,  Sire." 

"Pray,  speak." 

Pani  Walewska  passed  from  a  ceremonious  curtsey  to  a 
coquettishly  frolicsome  pose.  She  craned  her  neck,  with  one 
hand  she  gathered  the  folds  of  the  long  dressing-gown,  with 
the  other  she  touched  her  slightly  blushing  face. 

"  Here,  Sire  !  " 

Napoleon  came  near  her  Avith  a  beaming  face. 

"  I  beg  of  you  to  kiss  here,  quickly  !  " 

The  Emperor  fulfilled  the  command.  Pani  Walewska 
assum.ed  a  pouting  face. 

"  But  I  said  here  !  Here  in  that  beauty  spot,  and  not  there 
near  the  nose." 

Bonaparte  flushed  with  joy. 

"Mine,  a  hundred  times  mine!"  he  whispered,  with  the 
emotion  of  happiness,  covering  her  with  kisses. 

"  Your  Majesty,  you  caught  my  lace  with  your  cross  !  Look, 
you  have  torn  it !  As  a  punishment  you  will  spend  the  evening 
with  me." 

"Very  well — everything  you  order — I  cannot  refuse  you 
anything ! " 

Pani  Walewska  became  serious. 

"  You  have  repeated  that  so  many  times,  and  you  forget  that 
it  is  not  allowed  to  you  to  speak  that  way." 

"  You  are  mistaken.  Every  one  of  your  desires  is  mine  also. 
Mary,  I  swear  to  you — if  I  doubted  yesterday,  I  believe 
to-day.  Believe  me,  you  will  never  regret  the  confidence  you 
had  in  me." 

"  Can  it  be  true  then  ?  " 

Napoleon  closed  Pani  Walewska's  mouth  with  a  kiss. 

"  Do  not  ask.     Have  faith  !  " 

"I  believe  with  my  whole  soul,  for  you  are  bound  to  be 
Napoleon." 

"And  it  will  come  more  easy  to  me,  for  only  now  I  am 
certain  that  my  blue-eyed  star  shines  with  full  brightness." 

Pani  Walewska  put  her  head  on  the  Emperor's  shoulder. 

"The  star  shines  always  with  the  same  light,  but  it  cannot 
help  it  if  sometimes  the  clouds  cover  it." 

A   light   rap   at    the    door    interrupted    the    conversation. 


336  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Napoleon  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  My  time  is  over." 

"  Only  you  must  not  be  so  long  as  yesterday." 

"  And  who  suffers  more  .''  " 

"  I  shall  be  angry  !  " 

The  Emperor  kissed  Pani  Walewska's  hand  and  disappeared 
behind  the  curtain. 

Lonczynski,  who  witnessed  that  scene,,  wiped  his  perspiration 
— he  could  hardly  believe  his  eyes  and  ears. 

Then  that  lady,  with  the  looks  of  a  princess,  with  the 
refinement  of  a  marchioness,  that  half  queen  teasing  Napoleon 
as  a  pla}Tnate,  was  his  former  little  sister,  his  Mary  }  He  must 
be  mistaken ;  he  must  have  lost  his  consciousness ;  his  senses 
must  be  in  disorder.  She,  in  the  Emperor's  room  in  that 
luxury !  No,  it  must  be  a  nightmare !  The  Evil  One  had 
brought  him  here  and  was  deceiving  him.  Mary  could  not  speak 
like  that,  could  not  be  so  coquettish ;  she  would  be  burnt  with 
shame  before  she  could  say  one  such  word.  It  is  not  she !  Some 
grandę  dame,  but  not  his  Mary  ! 

The  Colonel  siglied  deeply  and  wanted  to  leave  the  place, 
but  he  could  not.  Something  riveted  him  to  the  spot — some- 
thing imprisoned  him — something  deprived  him  of  the  faculty 
of  movement. 

Lonczynski  felt  that  he  ought  to  leave  the  place  at  once, 
that  he  ought  to  run  away,  so  far  as  to  lose  sight  of  his  former 
sister,  to  forget  even  the  memories  of  his  youth,  even  that  for 
which  he  was  longing.  He  would  have  given  half  of  his  life 
if  he  could  not  have  stood  at  the  door,  if  he  could  be  where 
there  was  neither  any  Emperor's  quarters,  nor  staff,  nor  army, 
nor  those  dizzying  war  cries,  nor  the  shouts  of  victory,  nor 
Napoleonic  eagles,  nor  Polish  legions,  where  there  would  be 
such  emptiness  as  there  was  in  his  breast,  in  his  mind. 

The  Colonel  pressed  his  head  against  the  wall  and  stood 
motionless. 

All  at  once  sounded  in  his  ears  the  words  of  a  familiar  song, 
which  he  had  heard  so  often  when  he  was  a  child,  then  as  a 
youth,  which  accompanied  the  noise  of  spinning-wheels,  which 
sounded  during  the  harvests,  during  the  hay-making,  at  sunrise 
and  at  sunset. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  337 

Lonczynski  staggered  as  if  he  were  drunk.  In  the  mean- 
while, the  song  resounded  stronger  and  stronger — 

"  In  the  dusky  grove  a  nightingale  trills  sadly. 
Love  makes  him  joyful  and  song  sorrowful. 
It  is  not  the  same  with  Kasia's  love, 
For  her  heart  is  weeping  while  her  face  is  bright." 

The  singing  stopped  suddenly,  the  door  opened,  Pani 
Walewska  beheld  her  brother  standing  before  her. 

Seeing  him  she  became  pale.  They  looked  at  each  other  as 
if  wishing  to  guess  what  was  in  the  other's  mind. 

Pani  Walewska  first  shook  off  her  stupefaction,  her  face 
became  crimson,  her  lips  opened.  She  stretched  her  arms  to 
her  brother  and  put  them  round  his  neck  with  an  outburst  of  joy. 

"  Paul,  Paul !  You  are  here  !  How  happy  I  am  !  Come 
here !  Let  me  look  at  you !  I  was  so  longing,  so  longing  for 
you  !  So  many  years  !  Only  think  !  You  have  not  forgotten 
your  Mary !     She  is  always  yours,  always  the  same." 

Pani  Walewska,  having  glanced  at  her  brother's  stony  face, 
stopped  suddenly,  and  after  a  moment  continued :  "  There  is 
something  the  matter  with  you !  Perhaps  you  have  been  told 
something !  Do  not  believe — believe  nothing !  Do  not  ask 
me  anything.  I  will  tell  you  everything.  I  will  conceal 
nothing.  Only  do  not  reproach  me.  I  know  what  you  think. 
I  never  forgot  that  I  should  be  obliged  to  render  you  an 
account,  you  alone — for  I  have  nobody  who  could  understand 
me.  Sit  down  here — I  will  sit  at  your  feet.  Only,  Paul,  do  not 
look  like  that  at  me.  I  shall  lose  my  senses.  I  must  drink 
some  water,  for  it  burns  me,  I  cannot  speak.  Ah,  I  feel  better 
now !  At  last  you  are  with  me.  I  see  you.  What  a  happiness  ! 
How  cold  your  hands  are.  I  understand.  You  doubt — you 
think  that  I  am  wicked.  Yes,  as  they  all  do.  Impossible ! 
Although,  naturally,  you  must  think  like  the  others.  If  you 
knew  how  they  cringe !  Before,  I  was  nothing  to  them,  and 
now  I  am  their  oracle.  I  have  the  best  taste,  the  sweetest 
smile — I  am  the  most  intelligent.  Everything  is  superlative. 
Stupid !  As  if  your  Mary  could  change  !  You  must  know 
everything  first,  and  then  you  will  judge  and  kiss  me.  Will 
you  not .''     I  was  so  longing  for  your  kiss,  for  your  embrace." 

Panl  Walewska  began  to  cry. 
Z 


338  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Lonczynski  sat  motionless^  looking  with  glassy  eyes  at  his 
sister,  and  showing  no  sign  that  he  understood  what  she  said 
to  him,  that  he  heard  her. 

Pani  Walewska  wiped  her  tears,  put  her  hands  on  her 
brother's  knee,  and  with  a  trembling  voice  began  to  tell  him 
about  3^ears  spent  with  him,  about  her  sorrows,  disenchant- 
ments,  longings,  hopes,  struggles,  and  dreams. 

She  spoke,  smilmg  and  crying,  reaching  with  her  thoughts 
the  most  remote  boundaries  of  her  memory,  then  again  touch- 
ing yesterday's  events. 

And  when  at  last  she  told  him  all  her  story,  when  she 
unveiled  to  him  her  most  secret  thoughts,  when  she  reached 
to  the  farthest  corners  of  her  heart,  where  she  did  not  dare 
to  look  alone,  when  she  felt  that  she  had  nothing  further  to 
say  that  could  strengthen  her  justification,  she  covered  her  face 
with  her  hands,  bent  over  her  brother's  knees,  and  became 
silent. 

A  moment  of  deadly  silence  followed,  a  moment  of  awful 
expectation  for  Pani  Walewska. 

Lonczynski  was  sitting  motionless,  gazing  at  his  sister's  head  ; 
his  hands  were  cold  and  stiff. 

Pani  Walewska  could  not  bear  the  silence  any  longer,  she 
shook  her  head,  pressed  her  hands  on  her  brother's  hands,  and 
said  with  irritation  :  "  Paul,  I  have  told  you  all !  Tell  me, 
could  I  act  differently  ?  Fate  pushed  me  to  this.  Destiny 
Avilled  it  to  happen  as  it  did.  I  had  nobody  who  could  advise 
me,  who  could  help  me.     Do  you  hear — nobody  ! " 

"Even  no  God  ! "  muttered  the  Colonel. 

Pani  Walewska  shivered,  for  in  her  brother's  words  she  heard 
a  merciless  indictment.  Her  face  quivered  with  pain,  fear 
filled  her  heart. 

"  Paul,  do  not  speak  that  way !  You  are  the  one  person  in 
this  world  who  should  understand  me  and  should  stand  by  me. 
If  I  am  guilty,  if  you  think  that  I  should  act  differently,  tell 
me,  and  I  will  do  as  you  will  order.  Yes,  provided  you  love 
your  Mary,  as  you  did  formerly.  Tell  me,  could  I  have  acted 
differently  ?  In  the  beginning  I  was  troubled  by  some  scruples, 
but  now  I  have  become  familiar  with  the  humiliation.  It  is 
true  that  that  humiliation  is  one  continual  homage  for  every 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  339 

one  of  my  looks,  for  every  one  of  my  words,  but  that  homage 
has  something  in  it  that  you  cannot  understand.  .  .  .  Formerly 
my  cheeks  were  burning,  now  I  smile  condescendingly  to 
hirelings.  Let  them  censure  me,  let  them  tear  me,  let  them 
crawl — my  life  was  not  worth  so  high  a  price.  Your  Mary 
became  a  Judith,  only  instead  of  cutting  off  Holofernes'  head, 
she  has  lost  her  own.  I  do  not  wish  for  anything  for  myself. 
He  is  very  good  to  me.  But  sometimes  I  am  afraid  of  him. 
I  am  afraid  that  she  .  .  .  Josephine  .  .  .  they  say  she  loves 
him — others  affirm  she  does  not — perchance  they  do  that  on 
purpose.  I  am  afi-aid  also  of  Prince  Eugene.  But  provided 
I  reach  my  aim  .  .  .  What  do  you  think  ?  Paul,  you  have  not 
yet  said  a  word.  Had  I  known  you  were  coming  I  should  have 
gone  to  meet  you.  I  should  have  recognised  you  even  in  that 
uniform.     Ah,  I  understand  the  army  ! " 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  nervously. 

The  Colonel  made  a  movement,  his  eyes  were  full  of  fire. 

Pani  Walewska  stopped  laughing  and  began  to  talk  quickly. 
•^'Yes,  I  do  understand.  In  Warsaw  people  speak  of  nothing 
else.  The  uniform  is  becoming  to  you  .  .  .  those  silver 
flowei's — for  they  look  like  flowers — mean  that  you  belong  to 
the  Imperial  staff.  You  cannot  imagine  how  glad  I  am. 
Could  I  have  dreamed  that  I  should  see  you  wearing  the 
uniform  of  a  colonel  ?  I  am  proud  of  you !  He  did  not  tell 
me  that  you  were  here.  Perhaps  he  did  not  know  it.  You 
shall  see  how  kindly  he  will  receive  you.  You  are  going  to 
lunch  with  us.  You,  your  Mary,  and  the  Emperor.  Life  is 
sometimes  more  beautiful  than  a  fairy  tale.  Is  it  not  ?  Ah, 
I  did  not  notice,  you  have  the  great  cross  of  the  Legion ! 
Great  cross  !     You  have  distinguished  yourself." 

Lonczynski  grew  pale,  pushed  aside  his  sister  brutally,  and 
rose. 

"  Listen,  you  camp-follower !  You  shall  return  this  play- 
thing to  your  lover !  Take  it  .  .  .  the  epaulettes  also !  You 
have  earned  them,  you  may  wear  them ! " 

The  Colonel  pulled  off  the  cross  and  the  epaulettes  and  threw 
them  into  his  sister's  face. 

Pani  Walewska  clasped  her  hands  together. 

"  Paul !  .  .  .  For  God's  sake  ! " 


340  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  You  shall  return  them  to  him,  and  tell  him  to  keep  them 
for  the  brother  of  some  other  favourite,  for  you  have  no 
brother." 

"  O  Lord  !  " 

"  Silence  !     Do  not  soil  the  name  .  .  .  you  .  .  .  harlot ! " 

Pani  Walewska  bent  under  the  weight  of  the  insult. 

"  You  also  against  me  !  Then  there  is  nobody  in  this  world 
who  will  help  me  .  .  .  who  will  understand  .  .  .  that  I  do  not 
want  anything  for  myself." 

Lonczynski  burst  out  into  dry  laughter. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  Then  you  are  so  degraded  that  you  have  lost  your 
common  sense.  You  imagine  that  you  will  obtain  from  them 
the  independence  of  our  country.     Ha  !  ha  !  " 

The  Colonel  made  a  contemptuous  grimace,  while  Pani 
Walewska  spoke  feverishly  :  "  You  do  not  know  him  !  You  do 
not  understand  how  much  he  loves  me  !  " 

Lonczynski  took  out  from  under  his  uniform  the  roll  of 
papers  and  threw  them  at  her  feet. 

"  Here  is  the  answer !  Here  are  documents  which  prove 
that  I  know  him  well.  You  have  overestimated  your  beauty. 
Enough  !  You  will  give  him  all  this,  and  you  will  tell  him  that 
you  have  no  brother." 

He  put  his  three-cornered  hat  on  quietly  and  turned  to  the 
door. 

Pani  Walewska  rushed  desperately  after  him,  wishing  to 
stop  him. 

Lonczjoiski  looked  at  her  contemptuously  and  pushed  her 
aside. 

'•'  Away !  .   .   ." 

''  But  you  will  not  go  !  You  will  not  leave  your  little  sister — 
your  Mary ! " 

The  Colonel  breathed  deeply,  and  said  with  an  effort :  "  My 
sister  .   .   .  my  Mary  ...  is  dead  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  moved  her  pale  lips,  but  could  not  say  a  word. 

The  Colonel  went  away. 


CHAPTER    XV 

THE  active  M.  Flahaut  was  very  much  surprised  when, 
on  going  to  the  Colonel  to  remind  him  of  his  promise  of 
speaking  in  his  favour  to  Marshal  Berthier,  he  found  Lonczynski 
in  his  old  uniform  of  a  lieutenant  of  the  Polish  legions. 

The  polite  officer  of  the  general  staff  did  not  let  him  know 
of  his  surprise  either  at  such  a  change  or  at  the  disorder  in 
the  rooms,  and  greeted  Lonczynski  with  a  salute  that  mingled 
the  military  and  the  modest. 

"  I  hope  my  visit  is  not  too  early,  sir  }  " 

Lonczynski,  who  was  sitting  in  a  corner  of  the  sofa,  made  an 
impatient  movement. 

"  Who  is  there  ? " 

M.  Flahaut  became  confused. 

"  Pray,  excuse  me  !  Perhaps  I  importune  you  ?  But  I  bring 
the  day's  report,  in  which  there  is  a  mention  of  you.  Colonel." 

"  I  am  not  a  Colonel !  " 

Flahaut  tried  to  smile,  but  having  glanced  at  Lonczynski's 
much  changed  face,  made  a  grimace. 

"To-day's  report  is  very  interesting,"  continued  the  Captain, 
wishing  to  get  out  of  a  difficult  position,  which  he  guessed  but 
could  not  understand.     "  Very  interesting  indeed  !  " 

"Ah,  it  is  you,  Flahaut !  "  interrupted  the  Colonel  suddenly. 

The  Captain  saluted,  not  knowing  what  to  answer. 

"Yes,  yes  !  "  muttered  Lonczynski,  "you  are  Flahaut.  Well, 
I  remember  you  asked  me  for  protection,  but  you  are  too  late. 
What  a  pity  I  am  no  longer  a  Colonel !  But  wait,  I  will  give 
you  some  advice.     Have  you  a  sister  .''  " 

"  No,  I  have  not." 

"  That  is  unfortunate,  for  if  you  had,  it  would  be  very  easy. 

341 


342  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

They  would  make  you  an  officer  of  the  Legion,  and  they  would 
give  you  the  epaulettes  of  a  Colonel  of  the  Staff." 

Flahaut  became  crimson. 

"  Excuse  me,  how  am  I  to  understand  your  remark  ?  " 

Lonczynski  made  a  gesture  with  his  hand. 

"  You  and  all  of  you  do  not  understand.  Perhaps  it  seems 
to  you  as  it  seems  to  me.  If  you  only  had  a  Mariette !  But 
wait.  You  already  have  a  cross.  Well,  you  are  cunning  enough 
for  that.  Naturally,  you  would  not  know.  Excuse  me,  I  am 
forgetting.  It  is  only  in  our  Polish  legions  that  there  are 
men  who  believe  that  in  order  to  get  such  a  plaything  it 
is  necessary  at  least  to  take  a  redoubt,  or  to  cut  half  a  regiment 
to  pieces.  But  it  is  not  so.  Instead  of  such  trouble  .  ,  .  well, 
you  know  ..." 

Flahaut  retreated  towards  the  door.  Lonczynski  said  to  him 
in  a  friendly  manner :  "  Captain,  wait !  You  asked  me  for 
protection.  You  see  that  I  remember  well.  You  would  like 
to  leave  Murat's  staff.  Nothing  easier — provided  you  call  a 
sister  to  you.  She  will  be  appointed  a  lady-in-waiting,  and  you 
will  become  a  general.  You  do  not  like  that !  Ha  !  ha  !  I  tell 
you  it  is  the  shortest  way  to  distinction.  ...  I  am  speaking 
from  experience." 

The  Captain  muttered  something  and  left  the  room  pre- 
cipitately. Lonczynski  called  after  M.  Flahaut,  but  when  he 
did  not  return  the  Colonel  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  laughed 
to  himself. 

"  Idiot,  he  does  not  believe  it,  although  it  is  very  simple." 

The  Colonel  walked  several  times  across  the  room,  and  then 
he  called  his  orderly. 

"  Listen,  what  is  your  name  ?     Ah  !  Jacob  !  my  name  is  Paul." 

"I  understand.  Colonel." 

"  You  are  stupid.  I  am  not  a  Colonel.  Understand,  you  will 
call  me  Paul." 

The  orderly  drew  himself  up.     Lonczynski  frowned. 

"Do  not  make  any  faces.  If  you  do,  see  this  fist?  Give 
me  some  whisky." 

"  Yes,  sir !  " 

'^  Quick !"  shouted  the  Colonel.  "  Ah,  you  have  it !  Your 
health ! " 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  343 

"I  do  not  dare  !  " 

"Drink!  but  listen  .  .  .  perhaps  you  wish  to  remember 
me?  ...  Eh?" 

"Sir  .  .  .  Paul !"  muttered  the  orderly,  confused,  "I  do  not 
dare ! " 

"  You  are  a  beast !  What  have  you  on  your  shoulder  ?  An 
epaulette  ?  Give  it  to  me  !  Away  with  it !  Yes  !  Drink  ! 
Mary  is  dead  !     Remember  that !     Why  do  you  not  drink  ?  " 

"  I  am  drinking,  sir  .  .  ." 

"  Very  well,  then.  Did  you  see  that  idiot  Flahaut  ? — he  did 
not  want  to  believe  me.  What  bad  whisky !  Have  you  given 
me  water?" 

"W^hisky,  as  you  ordered." 

"  Bring  me  some  better." 

"There  is  none,  sir  .   .  ." 

"  There  must  be  !     Go,  bring  it  .  .  .  march  !  " 

The  frightened  orderly  ran  as  quickly  as  he  could. 

The  Colonel  looked  round  carefully. 

"  He  has  gone.  H'm !  Bad  whisky.  He  put  some  water 
into  it,  and  I  am  so  thirsty." 

Lonczynski  seized  the  bottle,  lifted  it  to  his  m.outh  and  drank 
its  contents.  Then  he  went  to  a  table  on  which  a  pair  of 
pistols  were  lying. 

He  was  familiar  with  them.  This  one  with  the  heavy  barrel 
was  the  one  he  preferred  ;  he  knew  that  it  jerked  to  the  right. 
But  noAv  he  would  know  how  to  fire.  The  thick-headed  rogue 
did  not  expect  such  an  honour.  For  the  occasion  he  deserves 
to  be  treated  well.  Let  him  have  twice  as  much  powder  as 
usual.  If  one  has  to  fire,  then  why  not  fire  well  ?  Now  some 
wadding  and  a  bullet.  It  is  a  round  one.  More  wadding — he 
is  not  hungry  now !     A  fresh  flint,  and  he  is  ready. 

Having  finished  the  loading  of  the  pistol,  Lonczynski  laughed 
with  satisfaction,  looked  with  childish  pleasure  into  the  barrel, 
then  he  lifted  up  the  weapon. 

At  that  moment  the  door  opened  and  spurs  clinked, 
Lonczynski  lowered  the  pistol  and  turned  impatiently.  About 
two  steps  from  him  stood  an  officer  of  chasseurs  a  cheval  of  the 
Guard.  "  Have  I  the  honour  of  speaking  to  Colonel  Lon- 
czynski ? "  began  the  officer. 


344  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

"  I  am  not  a  Colonel." 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  ask  you  to  be  kind  enough  to  report 
at  once  to  the  officer  on  duty  in  the  Emperor's  ante-room." 

Lonczynski  became  crimson.     His  eyes  filled  with  blood. 

"  Who  are  you  ? ' ' 

"  My  name  is  Ornano,  officer  of  the  squadron  on  duty  of  the 
chasseurs  a  chcval,  by  order  of  the  Commandant." 

"I  know  no  Commandant." 

"  I  am  ordered  to  bring  you,  Colonel." 

"  I  said  I  am  not  a  Colonel." 

Ornano  looked  hesitatingly  at  Lonczynski,  who  added  :  "  Go, 
and  say  that  the  Colonel  will  not  come  because  ...  he  is 
not  .  .  ." 

"Excuse  me,  but  I  was  told  that  Colonel  Lonczynski's 
quarters  were  here." 

"These  were  his  quarters  yesterday  ! " 

Ornano  saluted. 

"Such  being  the  case,  they  gave  me  a  wrong  address." 

"  Certainly,  you  can  see  for  yourself  that  in  this  uniform  I  do 
not  look  like  a  Colonel." 

"To  be  sure,  but  could  you  tell  me  where  I  could  find 
Colonel  Lonczynski .'' " 

"It  is  difficult  to  say.  .  .  .  For  you  understand,  a  man  of 
such  importance.     You  must  know  the  Colonel's  sister  .  .  ." 

Ornano  paled.     "  I  have  heard  something." 

Lonczynski  half  closed  his  eyes,  smiling  cunningly. 

"Well,  you  must  agree  that  he  advanced  very  rapidly.  A 
week  ago  he  was  a  lieutenant,  and  to-day  they  are  all  afraid 
of  him.  He  received  the  grand  cross  of  the  Legion,  he 
belongs  to  the  Staff,  he  is  on  the  Court  list.  He  has  sacrificed 
everything.     But  he  has  a  sister  !     He .'' " 

"Scoundrel !  "  muttered  Ornano. 

Lonczynski  staggered. 

"  You  are  right !  Ha,  ha  !  you  are  right !  But  permit  me, 
you  too  have  the  Legion  !     Is  it  also  for  .  .   .  ?  " 

"  I  was  at  Jena,"  answered  Ornano  proudly. 

"At  Jena .''     You  took  that  trouble  .''  " 

"  Sir,  I  do  not  know  you,  and  I  beg  you  to  refrain  from  your 
remarks.     Where  can  I  find  Lonczynski }  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  345 

"Ask  Bonaparte^  he  will  know." 

"  Do  you  forget  to  whom  and  about  whom  you  are  speaking? " 

"I  remember^  and  therefore  I  speak." 

Ornano  went  out  slamming  the  door. 

He  had  not  yet  left  the  ante-room  when  he  heard  a  report 
of  a  pistol  behind  him.  He  stopped  and  looked  towards  the 
door,  through  which  he  passed.  Had  that  half  madman  fired  ? 
Who  knows .''  Some  odd  fish  !  Let  him  fire.  The  Commandant 
of  the  guard-house  must  be  informed. 

Not  paying  any  attention  to  the  report  of  the  pistol,  Ornano 
became  thoughtful ;  he  did  not  know  where  to  find  Lonczynski. 
The  order  Avas  urgent.  He  Avas  commanded  to  bring  the 
Colonel.  At  that  moment  a  soldier  entered  the  hall  with  a 
bottle  under  his  arm,  and  he  went  towards  the  door  of  the 
apartment  where  Ornano  had  been  vainly  speaking  with  some 
madman. 

"  Hey  !     Do  you  live  here  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  am  orderly  of  the  Colonel  of  the  Staff." 

"  Perhaps  Lonczynski's  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Very  well ;  is  your  master  at  home  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Conduct  me  to  him." 

The  soldier  went  unhesitatingly  to  the  door  which  the 
Captain  had  left  a  short  time  ago. 

"  But  it  is  not  here.  I  was  told  that  he  had  not  been  here 
since  yesterday." 

"I  am  sure  he  is  here,  sir." 

"Then  conduct  me,"  said  the  Captain  impatiently;  "go 
first ! " 

The  orderly  turned  the  handle,  helped  the  Captain  to  take 
off  his  cloak,  then,  saluting,  opened  the  second  door. 

Ornano  looked  at  the  other  end  of  the  room  and  retreated, 
moved  by  what  he  saw, 

A  few  steps  in  front  of  him  was  lying  in  a  pool  of  blood  that 
odd  man  with  whom  he  was  talking  a  moment  ago. 

"  What  has  happened  ?     Who  is  he  .''  " 

"  I  do  not  know — I  do  not  understand.  Only  a  few  minutes 
affo  the  Colonel  ordered  me  .  .    " 


846  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

"Then  he  is  a  Colonel?" 

"  Undoubtedly,  sir.  I  cannot  understand.  A  wound  in  the 
forehead.     He  is  still  breathing.  ..." 

Ornano  stood  as  if  pondering  something,  and  not  paying 
any  attention  to  the  efforts  of  the  orderly  who  wished  to  lift 
up  Lonczynski's  body.  Only  when  the  clouds  passed  over 
Lonczynski's  face  he  hastened  to  help  the  orderly. 

The  Colonel's  face  seemed  to  be  one  bloody  wound. 

Ornano,  helped  by  the  orderly,  put  Lonczynski  on  the  bed 
and  asked  for  water,  which  revealed  a  large  flat  wound  on  the 
Colonel's  forehead. 

Lonczynski  gave  no  signs  of  life.  There  was  no  time  to  be 
lost.  Ornano  seized  a  piece  of  paper  lying  on  the  table,  wrote 
on  it  a  few  words,  and  told  the  orderly  to  run  with  it  to  M.  de 
Segm* ;  then  he  took  from  Lonczynski's  valise  a  shirt,  tore  it 
into  pieces,  and  having  put  them  into  water,  applied  them  to 
the  wound. 

The  wound  bled  much.  Ornano  did  not  stop,  changed  the 
water,  and  applied  it  constantly. 

The  orderly  did  not  return. 

Ornano  was  losing  patience,  but  did  not  leave  Lonczynski. 
It  is  true  that  the  young  officer  had  some  wicked  thoughts, 
which  were  that  he  did  not  care  for  the  Colonel — that  rather 
he  should  leave  him,  that  he  had  done  enough  for  Madame 
Walewska's  brother  by  having  sent  the  orderly  for  a  surgeon — 
that  it  was  none  of  his  business  to  find  the  cause  of  such  a 
desperate  deed.  But  all  the  same,  something  forced  him  to 
remain,  and  to  give  the  wounded  man  relief. 

And  this  relief  was  already  visible.  The  Colonel  breathed 
deeper  and  deeper,  his  face  became  pink,  the  eyes  opened 
slowly  and  grew  brighter. 

Ornano  smiled  bitterly  to  himself, 

"I  should  give  up  the  honour,"  he  muttered  to  himself;  ''he 
will  be  wanting  to  be  thankful  to  me.  What  a  stupid  story ! 
And  that  numskull  is  not  back.  Just  because  of  the  loss  of 
blood  he  may  be  wanting  to  begin  his  last  will.  Sapristi ! 
He  may  ask  me  to  give  his  blessing  to  that  .  .  ." 

He  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

The  wounded  man  made  a  movement. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  347 

Ornano  set  his  teeth  and  wanted  to  change  the  water,  when 
he  felt  a  light  pressure  of  his  hand. 

"  H'm  !  What  ? "  asked  Ornano.  "  You  have  made  yourself 
bleed  foully.  What  ?  To  die  ?  Upon  my  honour,  you  should 
not  hasten.     Walewska  ?     Ah  !  " 

Lonczynski  made  an  effort,  and  whispered :  "  Not  one  word 
to  her !  Understand  ?  To  Walewska  !  To  nobody.  Nobody 
must  know  that  I  existed." 

"  Well,-well !  Plenty  of  time  for  that !  I  understand  some- 
thing about  wounds.  .  .  .  One  can  take  out  the  ball  with 
one's  fingers.   ...  I  understand." 

"But  you  do  not  imderstand  my  shame!"  moaned  the 
Colonel,  and  fainted. 

Ornano  shivered.  The  veil  of  the  truth  was  lifted  up  and 
uncovered  the  cause  of  the  drama  which  he  had  witnessed. 
Remorse  of  conscience  shook  him.  Yes,  he  was  sneering  at 
misfortune — he  had  accused  that  man  of  baseness.  An  hour  ago, 
when  he  received  the  order  to  summon  Madame  Walewska's 
brother,  he  thought  that  he  was  going  to  see  a  boastful  parvenu, 
who  did  not  feel  the  mud  with  which  he  was  bespattered;  an 
hour  ago  he  was  obliged  to  call  the  sense  of  duty  to  his  help, 
to  enable  him  to  carry  out  the  order,  to  forget  that  he  was 
going  to  the  brother  of  that  ...  to  quench  the  fii-e  that 
burned  him.  ,  .  .  For,  ever  since  the  day  before,  the  whole  of 
Ostród  was  talking  only  of  Lonczynski.  People  told  each  other, 
with  biting  remarks,  that  the  newly  appointed  Colonel  thought 
he  was  advanced  so  rapidly  because  of  his  military  talents,  and 
how  quietly  and  impudently  he  asked  the  Prince  of  Bassano  to 
take  a  letter  to  his  sister  at  Warsaw  !  .  .  . 

M.  de  Flahaut  had  defended  Lonczynski,  declaring  that  he 
was  pretending  to  know  nothing.  Ornano  was  familiar  with 
all  the  details,  and  he  was  free  with  his  malicious  remarks,  for 
it  seemed  to  him  that  he  had  a  right  to  them,  much  more  so, 
that  they  made  the  burden  pressing  his  heart  lighter,  and  he  did 
not  know  that  he  was  sneei'ing  at  a  pain  greater  than  his  own, 

Loncsynski  either  knew  the  whole  truth  and  was  fighting 
with  himself  to  save  his  honour  from  falling  too  low,  or  else, 
struck  by  the  thunderbolt,  he  was  unhesitatingly  giving  a 
proof  .  .      worthy  of  an  officer  ...  of  a  man ! 


348  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

Ornano  reasoned  in  this  manner,  continuing  to  apply  cold 
water  to  Lonczynski's  forehead.  The  latter,  however,  seemed 
to  be  half  dead  again. 

Suddenly  the  officer  was  seized  with  a  fear  about  the  Colonel's 
life,  although,  on  the  other  hand,  he  was  inclined  to  think  that 
he  should  let  him  die,  that  he  had  no  right  to  force  him  to  live. 

The  appearance  of  the  surgeons  with  M.  de  S^gur  inter- 
rupted Ornano's  thoughts. 

The  surgeons  proceeded  at  once  to  dress  the  wound  and  to 
extract  the  bullet. 

M.  de  Segur  listened  to  Ornano's  report  sorrowfully. 

"A  very  unpleasant  accident,"  concluded  the  Emperor's  mare- 
chal  de  logis,  and  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  during  the  war. 

"  You  did  well  to  inform  me  of  it !  He  must  have  turned 
the  barrel  imprudently,  the  cock  fell  down  and  fired  !  " 

"I  can  assure  you  that  nothing  of  the  kind  has  happened! 
A  few  minutes  ago  the  Colonel  came  to  his  senses  and  spoke." 

"Ah!  .  .  .  bespoke!  But  he  was  unconscious.  .  .  .  I  repeat 
that  there  was  an  accident.  Nothing  else.  Let  us  hear  what 
the  surgeons  would  say.     Ah,  the  bullet  is  taken  out !  .  .  ." 

"  It  was  on  the  surface,"  explained  one  of  the  surgeons. 

"  What  do  you  think .'' " 

"Nothing — he  must  be  sent  to  the  hospital.  In  two  months 
he  will  be  well.  He  pressed  the  barrel  too  much  to  his  fore- 
head ;  the  lack  of  air  made  the  shot  weak.  The  only  fear  is 
that  his  brain  may  have  been  troubled.  He  will  have  a  scar 
on  the  forehead.  His  skull  is  very  strong.  .  .  .  He  pressed 
the  pistol  so  much  that  the  barrel  made  an  impression  on  the 
wound  !     He  wanted  to  get  rid  of  life  quickly  !  " 

"What.''"  interrupted  M.  de  Stgur  drily.  "Then  you  would 
call  an  accident  with  a  pistol  a  suicide .'' " 

"  Undoubtedly ! " 

"  You  are  mistaken.  Colonel  Lonczynski  could  not  do  such  a 
thing.  If  you  look  more  carefully,  you  will  come  to  that  con- 
clusion." 

The  surgeon  looked  attentively  at  M.  de  Segur  and  bowed. 

"  Certainly,  certainly  !  " 

The  marechal  de  logis  turned  to  Ornano. 

"You  have  heard  and  you  know  now.     Colonel  Lonczynski 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  349 

is  a  man  of  too  great  importance ;  such  an  action  would  give 
rise  to  conjectures.     Pray  remember  it !  " 

Ornano  understood  the  command. 

"  I  shall  conform  myself  to  your  indication." 

''  Yes,  yes,  you  must.  By-the-by,  I  have  news  for  you.  .  .  , 
His  Majesty  is  very  well  disposed  toAvards  you.  You  have  the 
Legion,  you  were  promoted  to  be  a  captain,  and  now  I  am  sure 
that  you  will  be  on  the  list  for  a  subsidy." 

"  I  am  obliged.  .   .  ." 

"His  Majesty  speaks  of  you  often,  and  calls  you  'cousin.' 
I  am  sure  you  see  how  quickly  you  advance.  Only  a  few  weeks 
since  you  were  a  lieutenant.     And  how  old  are  you .'' " 

"  Twenty-three." 

"A  fine  career !  Well,  we  have  nothing  to  do  here.  They 
will  take  care  of  the  Colonel.  Poor  man !  And  what  care- 
lessness ! " 

"As  to  carelessness,  the  Colonel's  orderly  is  not  yet  con- 
vinced." 

"Did  he  see?" 

"As  well  as  I  did." 

"  No  matter,  I  shall  order  him  to  be  arrested  at  once ;  there 
is  no  other  remedy  for  such  churls.  I  am  obliged  to  you  for 
having  reminded  me  of  that.  Should  you  need  anything,  pray 
call  on  me." 

Ornano  rubbed  his  forehead  with  uneasiness. 

"  I  am  ready  at  once  to  take  advantage  of  your  kindness." 

"  You  will  make  me  happy.  .   .  ." 

"Therefore  I  shall  be  obliged  if  my  name  does  not  appear 
on  the  list  for  the  Imperial  subsidy." 

"  Wliat  do  you  mean.  Captain  ?  " 

"What  I  have  is  entirely  sufficient  for  my  needs,"  answered 
Ornano  almost  in  a  whisper.  "As  for  silence,  I  have  learnt 
that  before  to-day." 

M.  de  Segur  tried  to  smile. 

"  Ah,  yes,  if  you  prefer.  It  is  a  little  odd.  People  are  right 
to  call  you  whimsical." 

"Precisely,"  muttered  the  Captain  drily,  "and  I  like  to 
remain  so." 


350  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

It  was  a  quiet  morning  in  April.  After  a  cold  March,  which 
held  the  Polish  rivers  in  its  fetters,  covered  the  plains  of  North- 
western Prussia  with  snow  and  impeded  the  movement  of  the 
French  army,  the  sun  came  out  and  began  to  melt  the  provinces 
of  Moravia,  Silesia,  Lithuania,  and  Great  Poland,  which  had 
been  frozen  until  then. 

The  headquarters  in  Ostród  became  full  of  animation  and 
resomided  with  drums. 

The  Emperor  ordered  the  headquarters  to  be  removed  to 
Finkenstein.  The  staff  breathed  more  easily,  the  looks  of  the 
soldiers  were  brighter.  The  days  spent  in  Ostród  had  been 
very  hard  indeed  ;  hunger  and  cold  reached  even  the  generals ; 
merciless  misery  had  been  felt  even  by  those  who  could  conjure 
it  with  gold !  There  was  plenty  of  gold  in  Ostród,  but  there 
was  no  bread.  From  day  to  day  not  only  the  body,  but  also 
the  spirit  failed.  Napoleon  wished  to  rescue  both.  He  would 
send  messenger  after  messenger  to  Talleyrand  to  Warsaw,  he 
would  load  the  commissaries  of  the  temporary  Government  with 
reproaches,  imperatively  demanding  provisions.  Bonaparte's 
cry  was  "bread  and  whisky,"  but  notwithstanding  Wybicki's 
efforts,  notwithstanding  that  ever}'  granary  was  unsparingly 
ransacked,  no  more  supplies  could  be  got. 

Bonaparte  was  the  only  person  who  did  not  lose  heart.  He 
willingly  gave  up  the  house  he  occupied  in  Ostród  and  settled 
in  a  barn.  The  Emperor's  example  produced  some  effect,  but 
not  for  long — cold  conquered !  And  the  worst  of  it  was  that 
Ostród  was  diminishing,  growing  smaller  and  smaller,  dis- 
appearing. The  soldiers,  demoralised  by  hardships,  did  not 
pay  any  attention  to  threats  of  court-martials,  and  destroyed 
hedges,  even  houses,  in  order  to  warm  their  frozen  limbs.  The 
field-gendarmes  could  not  stop  the  disorder.  Misery,  climbing 
from  grade  to  grade  of  the  officers,  had  ah'eady  reached  Oudinot 
and  even  Berthier. 

No  wonder,  then,  that  when  the  April  sun  appeared  and  the 
order  was  given  to  march,  there  was  a  mad  outburst  of  joy  in 
Ostrcd.  The  preparations  were  pushed  on  with  enthusiastic 
activity.  The  soldiers  imagined  that  Finkenstein  was  a  land 
flowing  with  milk  and  honey.  It  is  true  that  in  the  mean- 
while there  were  x'umours  that  the  war  would  begin  soon,  but 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  351 

Napoleon's  soldiers  were  not  afraid  of  that  provided  they  were 
not  cold  and  hungry. 

Captain  Ornano,  who  was  also  pleased  at  the  prospect  of 
leaving  Ostróda  after  a  talk  with  his  comrades  about  it^  became 
sorrowful,  and  having  commanded  his  oi-derly  to  pack,  he  went 
to  the  other  end  of  the  town,  where  the  military  hospitals  were 
situated.  There  he  announced  himself  to  the  surgeon  on  duty, 
and  was  received  with  the  respect  due  to  an  officer  of  the 
Guards,  and  what  was  more  important,  the  Emperor's  cousin. 
Ornano  went  straight  to  the  object  of  his  call. 

"  What  will  become  of  the  sick  men  when  the  headquarters 
are  removed.^" 

"  We  shall  keep  them  here  for  some  time." 

"And  then?" 

"We  shall  send  the  convalescent  to  France,  and  leave  those 
who  are  not  able  to  support  the  journey  in  proper  care." 

"  H'm !  yes ;  but  you  must  have  some  orders  concerning  the 
superior  officers." 

The  surgeon  winked  at  Ornano. 

"I  know  about  whom  you  are  talking,  and  I  can  give  you 
some  news.  .  .  .  The  Colonel,  according  to  the  last  report  of 
the  head  surgeon,  is  so  well  that  he  can  get  up  in  a  few  days. 
Yesterday  Corvisart  paid  him  a  visit." 

"  I  have  heard  of  that." 

"Then  you  must  know,  also,  that  the  Colonel  will  be  trans- 
ported to  Paris." 

"To  Paris  !     Does  the  Colonel  know  about  it  ? " 

"  I  do  not  think  so — the  order  came  this  morning." 

"  H'm  !  the  question  is  whether  he  will  consent." 

"  Why  not  ?  The  Colonel  is  surrounded  by  such  care.  He 
shall  not  be  tired  with  the  journey.  Then  he  will  have  the 
special  care  of  Dr.  Larrey.  You  know  that  the  Colonel  is 
treated  here  like  a  marshal ;  we  report  about  him  every  day 
to  the  Emperor." 

"  Could  I  see  the  Colonel  ? " 

The  surgeon  became  sorrowful. 

"  Have  you  permission  from  M.  de  Segur  ?  " 

"  I  have  not,  but  I  think  you  will  permit  me  to  see  him.  I 
have  been  here  already  several  times.  .  .  ." 


352  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Yes,  but  always  secretly — always." 

"I  shall  be  grateful  to  you  if  you  make  no  difficulties  this 
time  also.  I  only  wanted  to  shake  hands  Avith  the  Colonel  before 
marching  out." 

The  surgeon  decided  quickly,  A  favour  shown  to  such  a 
man  as  Ornano  was  a  good  investment,  for  Ornano  was  already 
a  man  of  importance,  and  he  had  every  chance  of  becoming 
even  a  marshal. 

•^'Well?"  urged  Ornano. 

"  I  cannot  refuse  you,  Captain,  although  I  run  a  risk.  If  only 
nobody  sees  us.  In  case  of  necessity,  pray  name  some  other 
sick  officers,  as  usual." 

The  surgeon  sighed  several  times  in  order  to  emphasise  the 
importance  of  the  favour  shown  to  the  Captain,  then  went  to 
the  first  floor,  where,  bowing,  he  indicated  a  door. 

Ornano  opened  the  door  and  found  himself  in  a  small  room, 
which  served  for  an  ante-chamber  to  another  larger  room.  The 
Captain  threw  his  cloak  and  bearskin  to  the  orderly,  then 
opened  the  door  and  went  quietly  to  the  bed  on  which  was 
lying  a  man  with  a  bandaged  head. 

Hearing  the  steps,  the  sick  man  made  a  movement  and  asked 
in  a  subdued  tone  :  "  Is  it  you,  Hieronym  }  " 

"No;  it  is  Ornano." 

The  sick  man  made  an  effort  and  sat  up  in  the  bed. 

"Ah,  it  is  you  !  " 

"  How  are  you  to-day.  Colonel  ? " 

"Much  better.  Only  do  not  call  me  Colonel.  Simply 
lieutenant — ex-lieutenant.' ' 

"  Do  you  know  that  we  are  going  to  leave  Ostród  ? " 

The  sick  man  made  a  movement  of  uneasiness,  and  over- 
powered the  Captain  with  questions. 

Ornano  told  him  about  the  situation  of  the  army. 

When  the  Captain  had  finished  the  other  laughed. 

"  It  is  strange  !     I  could  swear  I  knew  all  that." 

"  It  happens  sometimes.  Now,  you  must  decide.  You  cannot 
remain  here." 

"  Naturally,  for  what  .  .  ." 

"  I  have  heard  they  wish  to  propose  to  you  to  go  to  Paris." 

"To  Paris .''    You  must  be  joking!     What  could  I  do  there.''" 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  353 

"In  your  position  .  .  .  Should  you  not  like  to  continue  to 
sei've  in  the  army  ? " 

"  Never  !  "  interrupted  the  sick  man. 

"  In  that  case  you  may  be  certain  there  are  people  to  whom 
your  future  is  not  indifferent." 

"  Captain,  how  shall  I  be  able  to  show  you  my  gratitude.''  .  .  .' 

"  Not  to  me.  I  am  only  a  poor  soldier  !  My  only  treasure 
are  these  epaulettes,  which  I  won  by  hard  Avork.  I  should 
like  .  .  .  But  what  can  I  do  ?  There  are  more  powerful 
people  than  I.  ...  In  Paris,  you  may  have  any  post  you  care 
for.  .  .  ." 

The  sick  man  looked  attentively  at  Ornano,  scrutinising  his 
face  with  merciless  attention.  Ornano  could  not  stand  that 
look ;  he  dropped  his  head  and  became  silent. 

There  was  a  long  silence,  during  which  the  Captain  was  con- 
sidering in  vain  how  he  could  continue  the  dropped  conversa- 
tion. Suddenly  the  sick  man  seized  the  Captain's  hand  and 
said:  "And  you  think  that  I  would  choose?  You  think  that  I 
should  be  capable  .  .  .?" 

Ornano  raised  his  head. 

«  No  ! " 

The  wounded  man  fell  back  on  the  pillows  and  breathed 
deeply. 

"  I  thank  you.     You  are  what  I  thought  you  to  be." 

The  Captain  said  timidly — 

''You  must  decide  something  about  yourself — you  cannot 
remain  here.  You  must  express  a  wish.  Where  would  you 
like  to  go  .''  " 

"Where  I  wanted  to  go  .  .  .  they  did  not  let  me  go.  .  .  . 
Well,  now  I  shall  return  to  my  modest  country  home." 

"  Would  you  not  prefer  to  return  to  your  regiment  ? " 

"What  for?  Would  the  regiment  return  to  me  what  was 
taken  from  me  ?  You  do  not  understand  !  Emptiness  !  There 
is  nothing  in  my  heart !  Once  there  was  the  war  cry  !  I  shall 
return  to  my  fields,  to  quiet  woi'k,  to  God  !  Perhaps  j'ou  do 
not  believe  in  God  !     There  is  a  God,  and  He  punishes  ! " 

"  He  forgives  also  !  " 

The  eyes  of  the  sick  man  grew  large. 

"  Yes  .  .  .  God  can  ! " 

2    A 


354  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

Ornano  was  silent ;  the  wounded  man  fell  into  a  stupor. 
After  a  while  the  Captain  roused  himself^  and  said — 

"  Will  you  permit  me  to  repeat  your  wish  where  it  should  be 
I'epeatcd? " 

The  Colonel  nodded  affirmatively. 

''It  shall  be  as  you  wish/'  added  the  Captain.  "And  now 
permit  me  to  take  leave  of  you." 

The  Colonel  responded  by  a  warm  pressure  of  the  hand. 

Ornano  went  towards  the  door. 

"  Captain  ! "  called  Lonczynski  after  him,  as  if  he  had  re- 
collected something. 

"  I  am  at  your  service  !  " 

The  sick  man  lowered  his  voice. 

"Tell  me  why  you  .  .  .  not  knowing  me  .  .  .  Did  you  do 
all  this  for  me,  by  yourself  .   .   .  or  .  .   .  or  .   .  .  ?  " 

"  Upon  the  word  of  an  officer,  nobody  knew  about  my  visiting 
you." 

"I  believe  you.  You  speak  the  truth,  or  you  are  silent. 
But  excuse  me,  my  poor  head  is  so  weak.  ...  I  do  not  re- 
member anything.  .  .  .  But  it  seems  to  me  that  I  have  seen 
you  once  in  my  life.  .  .  .  But  I  cannot  connect  that  moment 
with  your  kindness  and  sympathy.  ..." 

"  Permit  me  to  be  silent." 

"  Captain,  otherwise  I  must  believe  .   .   ." 

"Then  I  will  tell  you  that,  when  I  met  you,  I  was  in  such 
despair  that  it  seemed  to  me  that  nobody  could  be  more  un- 
happy than  I.  But  when  I  saw  you,  my  pain  appeared  to  be 
very  paltry.  I  noticed  then  that  everything  in  you  was  so 
pure,  so  little  egotistical,  so  proud,  that  I  was  frightened  at  my 
own  weakness.  I  wanted  to  have  a  shining  star,  but  I  wanted 
it  for  myself!  The  fear  that  it  shone  for  some  one  else  per- 
suaded me  that  I  was  not  worthy  to  be  called  a  star.  But  you, 
you  wished  to  have  its  rays  eternal.  For  you  there  was  no 
Ego,  there  were  no  two  roads,  two  morals,  two  honours ! 
Where  I  destroyed,  you  wished  to  build  ;  where  I  saw  a  con- 
queror, you  were  looking  for  a  defender.  I  served  because  of 
ambition,  you  served  because  of  self-sacrifice,  and  that  con- 
sciousness attracted  me  to  you." 

Lonczynski,  stunned  by  the  torrent  of  ingenuous  words,  misty 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  355 

to  him,  looked  hesitatingly  at  the  Captain,  and  rubbed  his  fore- 
head. 

Ornano  smiled  benevolently. 

"Excuse  that  riddle.  Perhaps  you  will  learn  more  soon. 
Believe  only  one  thing :  that  I  came  to  you  by  my  own  will." 

Ornano  shook  Lonczynski  again  by  the  hand  and  left  the 
room. 

In  the  ante-chamber  the  orderly  handed  him  his  coat. 
Ornano  threw  him  a  gold  piece,  and  was  going  out  of  the  door 
leading  to  the  corridor,  when  it  opened,  and  in  the  doorway 
appeared  a  carefully-veiled  lady,  followed  by  a  frightened 
surgeon. 

The  lady  shivered  slightly  at  the  sight  of  the  Captain. 

Ornano  stood  as  if  transfixed.  Notwithstanding  veils,  he 
recognised  Pani  Walewska. 

The  Captain  paled  slightly,  and  drew  aside. 

The  lady  walked  into  the  ante-room. 

The  surgeon  bowed  humbly,  and  hastened  with  an  explana- 
tion. 

"  Your  ladyship  .  .  .  the  worthy  patient  wished  to  see  the 
Captain.     This  door  .  .  .  straight  ..." 

"  Be  so  kind  as  to  leave  me." 

"I  am  at  your  ladyship's  service,"  mumbled  the  surgeon 
humbly,  making  signs  to  the  orderly,  and  winking  significantly 
at  the  Captain. 

Ornano,  who  had  recovered  after  the  first  impression,  bowed 
coolly  to  the  lady,  and  followed  the  surgeon. 

The  lady,  however,  said  suddenly  to  him  : "  Would  you  be  so 
kind  as  to  remain  a  moment  ł " 

Ornano  bowed  again  and  remained. 

The  lady  made  a  sign  to  the  surgeon  to  leave  her,  which  he 
did,  hurriedly  closing  the  door. 

The  lady  took  off  the  veil.  Ornano,  at  the  sight  of  the  face 
of  the  beautiful  lady,  grew  crimson. 

"  Did  you  not  recognise  me  ?  " 

"At  once." 

"  I  thought  so.     Have  you  seen  him  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"I  am  grateful  to  you." 


356  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  I  did  not  visit  him  for  the  sake  of  gratitude." 

"  You  visited  him  ...  it  is  enough.  Is  it  true  that  he  is  no 
longer  delirious  ł " 

"  For  the  last  week." 

"  For  a  week  I  have  waited  in  vain  for  him  to  be  feverish." 

"Ah  !  you  wanted  .   .  ." 

"  I  wished  to  see  him,  without  being  seen.  I  am  going  to-day. 
I  must  see  him.     I  came  alone  .  .  .  Captain  ?  " 

"Madame?" 

"Will  you  refuse  me  a  favour — Avould  you  not  intercede  .  .  .  ?  " 

"  I  ?  " 

"  Yes.  I  do  not  wish  for  anything.  I  do  not  wish  to  ask  his 
forgiveness  ...  I  wish  only  to  see  him^  to  glance  at  him  even 
from  the  threshold.      .   ." 

"  He  needs  quiet  so  much.  .  .   ." 

Pani  Walewska  leaned  on  the  chair.  Her  eyelids  trembled^ 
her  bosom  heaved. 

Ornano  was  afraid  of  the  shock  to  the  sick  man. 

"  Madame,  pray  remember  that  he  may  hear  you,  and  it 
would  arouse  his  slumbering  grief." 

"  I  will  be  quiet !     I  will  not  cry  !  " 

"  But  you  must  go,  you  must  not  stay  here." 

"Then  you  refuse  to  help  me?    And  I  thought  you  alone  .  .  ." 

Ornano  made  a  movement. 

"  I  would  like  to  take  your  word  literally.     I  mean  it !  " 

The  Captain  breathed.     "  I  am  going  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  bent  over  the  chair.  Ornano  went  into 
LonczjTiski's  room. 

Pani  Walewska  fell  into  a  kind  of  stupor.  Her  face  expressed 
timid  uncertainty. 

Ornano  did  not  return  for  a  long  while.  Twice  Pani 
Walewska  heard  a  muffled  voice  through  the  door,  twice  she 
trembled,  till  at  last  the  door  opened  and  the  Captain  came  in. 

Pani  Walewska  knew  instinctively  that  Ornano  stood  before 
her,  that  he  brought  her  a  merciless  answer.  .  .  .  She  did  not 
doubt  for  a  minute  what  that  answer  would  be — she  was  certain 
of  it ;  but  notwithstanding,  she  had  not  courage  to  listen  to  it. 

Ornano  was  silent.  Pani  Walewska  turned  her  head — the 
Captain  dropped  his  eyes. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  357 

"I  know/'  she  whispered  painfully — "I  know  what  you 
bring  me  !  I  am  unworthy  even  to  look  at  him — to  touch  his 
hand.  I  have  soiled  the  family  name  for  my  own  pleasure  !  You 
are  pure^  you  have  great  ideals,  while  I  am  an  egotistical,  greedy 
doll.  .  .  ." 

"  Madame ! " 

"You  wish  to  be  so  merciful,  that  you  are  ready  to  lie  in 
order  to  pacify  me.  Do  not  trouble  yourself  uselessly.  Repeat 
to  me  Avhat  he  said  to  you.     I  must  hear  it ! " 

"  But  you  have  guessed  it !  " 

"  It  is  not  enough  !  I  wish  to  hear — I  must  hear  it !  Did  you 
tell  him  what  I  told  you  ?  " 

«  Yes,  I  did." 

"And  he.?" 

"  Refused." 

"Perhaps  you  were  not  careful,  and  did  not  tell  him  the 
exact  purpose  of  my  visit }  " 

"  I  do  not  think  so.  I  did  what  I  could — I  tried  to  persuade 
him.  .  .  ." 

"  And  in  exchange  he  told  you  to  bring  me  an  insult  'i " 

"  No,  he  was  quiet ;  he  listened  to  the  end,  and  then  he  told 
me  that  I  was  mistaken,  for  his  sister  ...  is  dead.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  drew  herself  up  proudly. 

"Thank  you,  sir.     Yes,  she  is  dead,  undoubtedly." 

Ornano,  hearing  that  unexpected  conclusion,  pronounced  in  a 
steely  voice,  was  surprised,  and  could  hardly  believe  his  own  ears. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Pani  Walewska  gathered  the  folds  of  her 
long  d»;ess  and  said  :  "  Give  me  your  arm !  " 

Ornano  did  as  he  was  requested. 

Pani  Walewska  turned  towards  the  door,  having  previously 
veiled  herself.  In  the  corridor  the  surgeon  wished  to  show  her 
the  way,  but  she  dismissed  him  with  a  nod. 

The  Captain,  feeling  Pani  Walewska's  arm,  dizzied  by  some 
intoxicating  scent  emanating  from  her,  was  undergoing  fiery 
emotions.  The  moment  when  he  first  met  her,  all  the  hours 
during  which  he  had  lived  for  her,  longings  and  unrealised 
dreams,  rose  before  him  and  shook  his  heart. 

The  Captain  conducted  Pani  Walewska  with  all  the  care  of  a 
fashionable   man  attentive  to  ladies ;   he  even  smiled,  looked 


358  NArOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

quiet  and  attentive,  but  nevertheless  he  was  struggUng  horribly 
within,  in  order  not  to  utter  an  imprecation. 

In  the  front  of  the  hospital  a  carriage  was  waiting ;  the  foot- 
man and  the  coachman  wore  green  livery. 

Pani  Walewska  stopped. 

"  I  would  prefer  to  return  on  foot  if  I  knew  it  would  not  tire 
you." 

"Pray,  consider  yourself  rather — the  distance  is  consider- 
able." 

"  It  is  such  a  lovely  day  !  " 

''  If  you  prefer  .  .  .  ? " 

"  Yes,  let  the  carriage  return." 

The  footman  saluted.  Pani  Walewska  continued :  "  But  I 
would  prefer  a  side  road,  not  through  the  town.  I  wish  to 
breathe  the  fresh  air." 

"Then  we  will  go  by  the  field,"  said  Ornano. 

They  turned  to  the  right,  and  for  some  time  both  were  silent. 

Pani  Walewska  took  off  her  veil  and  breathed  the  fresh  air 
with  delight.  As  for  the  Captain,  having  recovered  a  little  from 
his  first  emotion,  he  tried  to  become  entirely  self-possessed,  and 
for  this  purpose  inwardly  called  Pani  Walewska  a  cold-blooded 
comedian. 

"How  absent  I  am,"  she  said  suddenly,  with  quiet  ease. 
"  I  had  forgotten  to  congratulate  you  on  your  advancement.  It 
is  fine  to  be  a  captain  at  your  age." 

Ornano  reddened.  "I  am  twenty-three  years  of  age,"  he 
answered  with  dignity.     "  I  have  served  for  seven  years." 

"  But,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  you  were  only  a  lieutenant  at  the 
ball." 

"Then  you  still  remember  that  ball  .   .  ..''" 

Pani  Walewska  became  confused,  and  she  answered  only  after 
a  little  while  :  "  It  was  so  beautiful." 

"  Like  a  dream  !  " 

"A  very  elaborate  comparison.  And  you  are  ah*eady  a 
captain." 

"Then,  you  did  not  even  recognise  the  uniform." 

"  Prince,  you  try  to  be  malicious." 

"  You  will  excuse  me,  but  I  could  not  help  it.  But  why  do 
you  call  me  Prince  ?  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  359 

"  You  were  introduced  to  me  by  that  title." 

"  I  am  obliged  to  Countess  Potocka  for  it." 

''  Is  that  so .''  Then  ...  I  thought  you  were  the  Emperor's 
cousin } " 

"I  could  prove  that  very  easily,  for  my  mother  was  born 
a  Bonaparte." 

"A  great  honour." 

"Now,  but  not  at  the  time,  when  she  married  a  colonel  of 
the  Corsican  Guards,  Louis  Ornano,  a  descendant  of  indepen- 
dent counts." 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  at  that  tirade.  The  Captain  perceived 
his  boastfulness,  and  became  ashamed  of  it. 

"  Then  your  family  comes  from  Corsica  ?  " 

"I  was  born  in  Ajaccio." 

"  Therefore,  military  service  has  a  double  charm  for  you.  He 
will  .  .  ." 

"Who.''"  interrupted  Ornano  passionately. 

"  Naturally,  the  Emperor." 

"  He  has  already  taken  from  me  more  than  he  can  give  me." 

Pani  Walewska  turned  to  the  Captain,  and  having  met  his 
fiery  looks  dropped  her  head. 

"What  ground  is  there  for  that  idea.^""  she  said,  after  a 
moment's  thought.  "  Has  the  man  who  has  taken  what  you 
would  have  liked  to  have,  but  which  is  not  yours,  robbed  you  of 
your  possession .'' " 

"  You  are  right,"  answered  the  Captain  gloomily.  "  One 
may  learn  from  you  how  to  be  cool !  Not  everybody  can  weigh 
every  word." 

"  Although  you  are  an  officer  of  a  regiment  who  has  so  many 
duties  at  the  Court.  .  .  ." 

"To-day  I  shall  ask  to  be  transferred  to  a  regiment  of  the 
line." 

"  Your  career  will  suffer  by  that." 

"  But  my  heart  will  gain." 

Pani  Walewska  stopped. 

"  We  have  reached  our  destination." 

Ornano  looked  round  astonished,  but  noticing  the  Imperial 
standard  floating  over  a  large  barn,  said :  "  Yes  .  .  .  here  are 
the  headquarters.  ..." 


360  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

"Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  your  trouble/'  said  Pani 
Walewska,  with  exaggerated  friendliness.  "  I  am  very  much 
obliged  to  you.  I  wish  you  success  in  your  plans.  I  do  not 
doubt  that  you  will  advance  as  quickly  as  you  have  done,  and 
that  when  I  meet  you  next  time  I  shall  be  speaking  to  a 
general." 

Pani  Walewska  smiled,  and  nodded  good-bye. 

Darkness  covered  the  Captain's  eyes.  He  did  not  hear  her 
words,  he  did  not  understand  anything  but  that  she  was  going, 
that  probably  he  would  never  see  her  again. 

"  Madame,"  he  said  passionately,  "  have  you  nothing  to  say  to 
me — nothmg  whatever .'' " 

Pani  Walewska  stojjped ;  her  eyes  were  veiled  with  sadness. 

"  Why  should  one  speak  if  one  knows  that  one  would  not  be 
believed .'' " 

"  One  might  make  truth  convincing." 

"Where  there  is  no  faith  there  is  no  truth.  The  conscious- 
ness of  truth  sets  aside  the  need  of  beheving." 

"  It  seemed  to  me,  however,  that  it  would  not  be  indifferent 
to  you.  .  .  .  Excuse  my  presumption ;  it  only  seemed  to  me  .  .  ." 

"  I  am  listening — speak  !  " 

"  It  seemed  to  me,  then,  that  I  deserved,  that  .  .  .  that  it 
would  not  be  indifterent  to  you  what  opinion  .  .  .  that  telling 
certain  details  .  .  ." 

"  What  would  be  the  use  of  them  to  you .'' " 

"  Because  I  wanted  to  have  you  justified,  because  convic- 
tion .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  tugged  nervously  at  her  veil. 

"  You  are  mistaken.  Sometimes  it  may  not  be  indifferent  to 
us  that  some  one  believes  in  us,  but  as  soon  as  proofs  are  asked 
for,  that  inclination  passes.  .  .  .  Captain,  Farewell ! " 

"  Are  you  going  to  Finkenstein  ?  " 

"I  do  not  know." 

"  At  any  rate,  I  wish  you  a  pleasant  journey." 

"  And  I  wish  you  as  quick  promotion  as  you  have  had." 

"Only  not  so  quick  as  this  of  to-day." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  drily,  nodded  to  the  Captain  and 
left  him. 

Ornano  stood  for  a  while  following  her  with  his  looks,  and 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  361 

when  she  disappeared  behind  a  house,  he  went  slowly  to  his 
quarters. 

Pani  Walewska  reached  a  small  door  in  the  gate,  guarded  by 
two  grenadiers  of  the  Guard.  The  sentry  stepped  aside  re- 
spectfully, and  Pani  Walewska  found  herself  in  a  large  barn, 
converted  into  Imperial  headquarters. 

Here  she  hastened  to  a  corner,  covered  with  a  large  tent,  in 
which  for  the  past  two  weeks  had  been  her  bedroom,  dressing- 
room,  and  drawing-room. 

A  chambermaid  took  off  her  fur  coat.  Pani  Walewska  sat 
on  a  bench  covered  with  a  rug.  Her  face  was  burning,  her 
eyes  were  filled  with  tears. 

The  maid  was  going  to  and  fro,  and  tried  to  distract  her 
gloom  by  talking  to  her.  Pani  W^alewska  seemed  to  hear 
nothing.     She  looked  into  the  dusky  space  and  was  silent. 

All  at  once  quick  steps  were  heard  near  the  tent.  The  maid 
withdrew  towards  the  entrance,  and  said  quickly :  "  The 
Emperor ! " 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  stir.  Napoleon  entered  the  tent, 
embraced  its  interior  with  a  quick  glance,  went  to  her,  and 
said  with  a  mild  reproach  :  "  It  is  the  second  time  I  have  come 
— I  was  uneasy.  It  is  time,  my  dear  child,  to  be  ready  for  the 
journey.    Your  carriage  is  waiting  for  you." 

"  Very  well !  "  whispered  Pani  Walewska. 

"  I  am  glad  we  are  at  last  going  to  leave  this  horrid  Ostród ! 
And  I  am  sure  you  will  not  guess  how  we  shall  celebrate  our 
leaving  here.  We  are  going  to  have  chicken  for  lunch !  A 
real  chicken  !  Oudinot  made  us  a  present  of  it.  But  I  see  you 
do  not  enjoy  the  thought  of  such  a  feast." 

Bonaparte  touched  Pani  Walewska  slightly  on  the  shoulder, 
and  said  in  a  reproachful  tone — 

''  You  have  been  to  see  him .'' " 

"  I  could  not  resist  it !  " 

"  And  what  for  ?  I  begged  you  not  to  go.  He  is  a  mad- 
man ! " 

"  He  is  my  brother." 

"  I  think  I  have  proved  to  you  that  I  have  not  forgotten  that 
for  a  minute.  But  he  is  not  M'orthy  of  your  attachment  to 
him.     He  wilfully  and  inconsiderately  trampled  on  the  closest 


362  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

ties,  and  you  went  to  see  him !  What  for  ?  To  tear  your 
nerveSj  to  irritate  your  unhealed  wound,  to  humiliate  yourself 
before  one  who  is  not  worthy  to  touch  the  hem  of  your  dress  ? 
You  should  respect  yourself!" 

"  I  went  there,  Sire,  to  convince  myself  that  I  have  nobody 
m  this  world,  nobody  whatever  !  " 

Napoleon  took  Pani  Walewska  by  the  hand. 

"  Mary,  have  you  a  right  to  talk  so  ?     And  I  ?  " 

She  looked  sadly  on  Napoleon,  as  she  said  in  a  subdued  tone  : 
"  It  is  true.  Sire,  you  are  still  with  me ! " 

Bonaparte  made  a  movement  of  impatience. 

"  Ungrateful,  spoiled  child  !  Can  you  admit  that  I  shall  ever 
abandon  you — you,  my  bliss,  my  good,  my  bright  star .''  Do  I 
not  give  you  enough  proofs  of  my  attachment  to  you  .■*  Do  you 
not  see  that  you  become  dearer  to  me  every  hour  ?  " 

"  If  you  only  depended  on  yourself,  Sire  !  " 

Napoleon  became  thoughtful. 

"You  are  right,"  he  said  after  a  while;  "who  knows  what 
may  happen !  At  any  rate,  you  must  remember  that  my  love 
for  you  will  last  for  ever,  that  I  shall  never  abandon  you,  that 
you  shall  be  the  dear,  the  only  one  !  But  you  must  be  the 
same  for  me  as  I  am  for  you  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  shook  her  head  sadly. 

"No,  Sire,  I  shall  remam  what  I  am." 


CHAPTER  XVI 

A  QUIET  July  evening  was  falling  on  the  shady  gardens  of 
Schoenbrunn,  lulling  the  flowers  to  sleep^  cooling  the 
heated  earth  with  dew  and  fresh  breeze. 

Sehoenbrunn  was  retiring  from  the  sad  sound  of  trumpets 
and  subdued  beating  of  the  drums ;  Sehoenbrunn  was  retiring 
quickly,  as  if  not  wishing  to  lose  one  second  of  rest,  as  if  wish- 
ing to  make  up  for  the  nights  of  Essling  and  Wagram,  during 
which  the  uproar  of  cannons  chased  away  sleep. 

The  crescent  of  the  moon  came  out  from  behind  elm  trees, 
silvering  the  roof  of  the  residence  of  the  Hapsburgs,  and 
began  his  nightly  wanderings  through  the  alleys  of  the  park. 

Even  for  such  a  frequent  visitor  as  was  the  moon,  there  were 
quite  remarkable  things  to  be  seen  in  Sehoenbrunn,  because, 
from  the  standard  flapping  over  the  roof  of  the  palace  to  the 
passwords  of  the  night  sentry,  everything  was  changed.  The 
white  uniforms  of  the  Austrian  Imperial  grenadiers  had  dis- 
appeared, Tyrolese  songs  were  heard  no  more,  the  white  wigs 
of  the  servants  of  the  palace  were  no  longer  seen. 

Sehoenbrunn,  that  quiet  refined  Sehoenbrunn,  was  filled  with 
the  clatter  of  arms,  with  a  multitude  of  soldiers,  with  cries  un- 
familiar to  the  echoes  of  the  park,  conversations,  signals,  and 
songs.  Soldiers  unknown  to  Sehoenbrunn  were  mounting 
guard,  the  palace  swarmed  Avith  the  martial  faces  of  proud 
people  who  had  been  unimportant  to  Sehoenbrunn ;  everything 
that  spoke  of  the  might  and  grandeur  of  the  Hapsburgs  was 
overborne  by  the  people  who  came  out  from  the  fire  lighted  by 
the  thundering  cannons. 

Everything  was  changed  in  Sehoenbrunn — the  inhabitants  of 
the  palace,  as  well  as  those  in  the  pavilions  occupied  by 
servants,  the  horses  in  the  stables,  the  carriages  in  the  coach- 

363 


364  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

houses,  the  cooks  in  the  kitchens,  and  the  soldiers  in  the 
barracks ;  only  the  tall  trees  rustled  as  before,  only  in  the 
green  thicket  the  statue  of  a  satyr  was  showing  his  teeth  in  a 
malicious  smile,  dead  on  his  stony  mouth. 

Everjrthing  was  changed  in  Schoenbrunn  ;  from  Schoenbrunn 
the  Hapsburgs  were  no  longer  ruling  Austria.  In  Schoenbrunn 
Napoleon  was  staying,  and  he  ruled  that  country. 

At  the  edge  of  the  park  of  Schoenbrunn,  on  a  spot  remote 
from  the  Vienna  Road,  stood  a  small,  one-storied  house  wrapped 
in  creepei's,  nestling  among  shrubs  and  trees.  In  front  of  the 
house  a  groom,  in  rich  green  livery,  was  holding  three  saddled 
horses.  On  the  veranda  stood  a  middle-aged  man  wearing  a 
half  military  and  half  court  uniform,  and  looking  at  the  horses 
he  rapped  constantly  at  his  snuff-box. 

Suddenly  the  door  of  the  house  opened  briskly,  and  there 
appeared  the  green  uniform  of  a  colonel  of  chasseurs  a  chcval. 
The  elderly  gentleman  turned  at  once  to  the  new-comer,  who 
said  :  "  Corvisart ! " 

"Sire?" 

"  We  are  going  back." 

"  I  am  ready,  Sire  !  " 

The  groom  brought  the  horses  nearer.  The  Emperor 
mounted.     Corvisart  did  the  same. 

At  that  moment  resounded  through  the  half-opened  windows 
of  the  house  the  sounds  of  a  spinet,  followed  by  sonorous, 
silvery  singing. 

Napoleon  reined  in  his  horse. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  song  resounded  amidst  the  quiet  of  the 
park,  waking  up  its  echo,  complaining  and  rejoicing  by  turns. 

The  smple  words  seemed  to  come  from  the  dejiths  of  the  heart 
and  to  I'each  beyond  worlds,  till  having  embraced  the  whole 
scale  of  sentiment,  they  changed  into  a  war  cry. 

"  Vous  me  quittez  pour  aller  k  la  gloire  ! 
Mon  triste  coeur  suivra  partout  vos  pas  ; 
Alle/,  volez  an  temple  de  memoire, 
Allez,  volez,  mais  no  m'oubliez  pas  !  " 

The  song  stopped.  Napoleon  was  still  there  as  if  waiting  for 
more. 

"  Mme.  Walewska  sings  charmingly." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  365 

"  Yes ;  it  is  my  favourite  song.  She  alone  knows  how  to  put 
so  much  feeling  into  it/'  said  the  Emperor,  not  answering 
Corvisart's  remark  directly. 

"  Ne  iHouhliez  pas  /"  resounded  a  subdued  voice  through  the 
half-opened  window. 

Bonaparte  bent  from  his  saddle  towards  the  window,  and  said 
with  feeling  :  '"  Jamais,  Jamais  !" 

The  horses  moved  on  and  disappeared  at  the  turn  of  the 
shady  path. 

Bonaparte  rode  ahead,  followed  closely  by  Corvisart.  The 
groom  kept  at  a  respectful  distance.  The  Emperor  was  silent ; 
the  physician  did  not  dare  to  disturb  his  thoughts.  Only  when 
they  reached  a  broad  road,  Napoleon  turned  a  little  towards 
Corvisart,  who  understood  that  movement  and  rode  nearer. 

"  Have  you  examined  her  ?  " 

''Yes,  Sire.  We  had  just  finished  our  conversation  when  your 
Majesty  came ! " 

"And  what  .^" 

"  There  is  no  doubt.     Mme.  Walewska  expects  .  .  ." 

"  Are  you  certain  of  it  .^  " 

"  Positive — then  Mme.  WalcAvska  .  .  ." 

''  Yes,  yes,  the  best  and  noblest.  ...  I  did  not  myself  doubt 
even  for  one  moment — but  you  understand — I  was  diffident  in 
spite  of  myself.     Josephine  deceived  me  so  many  times." 

"  Here  I  can  guarantee.  Sire  !  " 

''Very  well,  then.  Your  assurance  was  necessary,  for  it  is  a 
very  important  matter.  You  understand,  my  own  child  !  France 
must  have  an  heir,  for  she  cannot  trust  her  fate  to  a  bullet, 
which  may  find  me  during  a  battle.  France  must  have  a 
dynasty.  The  whole  world  must  know  that  after  Napoleon  the 
First,  there  will  follow  the  second,  the  third,  the  fourth — that  the 
death  of  the  first  will  not  diminish  French  power,  that  the 
State  built  by  me  will  last,  will  remain  !  " 

"Sire  !  "  whispered  Corvisart  hesitatingly, unable  to  guess  the 
meaning  of  the  words, 

"Josephine  must  be  put  aside ! " 

"The  Empress?"  said  the  physician,  frightened. 

"  Yes,  she  must  be  put  aside  for  one  who  will  be  able  to  give 
me  a  son." 


366  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

" But  the  attachment  of  Her  Majesty  .  .  .  ?" 

"  If  I  could  be  permitted  to  look  for  affection^  then  I  would 
look  for  it  Avhere  we  are  coming  from." 

"Then  Pani  Walewska^  in  spite  of  herself,  influenced  the 
determination.  .   .   ." 

"You  speak  as  if  you  Avould  like  to  reproach  me.  .  .  ." 

"  I  would  not  dare.  Sire  !  " 

"I  know  very  well,  by  myself,  that  she  will  be  very  un- 
happy.  .  .   ." 

Then,  after  a  while  of  silence,  the  Emperor  said :  "  At  any 
rate,  not  a  word  to  any  one  yet." 

"\  understand.  Sire  !  " 

There  was  silence  in  the  house  left  by  the  Emperor ;  the 
noise  of  the  horses'  hoofs  was  not  heard  any  longer.  On  the 
veranda  of  the  house  appeared  a  woman  dressed  in  Avhite ;  she 
looked  at  the  depths  of  the  paths  between  the  trees,  sighed, 
and  sat  on  a  bench. 

It  was  a  charming  July  evening. 

The  woman  sitting  on  the  bench  did  not  remain  long  alone ; 
the  door  opened  again,  and  in  the  meanwhile  a  subdued  voice 
said  :  "  Chere  Marie,  you  are  alone.   .  .   .  Has  he  gone  }  " 

«  Yes." 

"Why  did  you  not  tell  me?"  said  a  lady  reproachfully,  who 
came  on  the  veranda.  "  I  wanted  to  speak  to  him  about  the 
Lubienskis.     It  would  be  difficult  to  have  another  opportunity." 

"  I  do  not  think  so,"  quietly  answered  the  woman  in  white. 

"  Perhaps  he  was  not  in  a  good  humour.     What  did  he  say  ?  " 

"You  know.  Princess,  that  we  never  talk  about  politics." 

"And  it  is  too  bad.     You  Avilfully  renounce  all  influence." 

The  woman  in  white  made  an  impatient  movement.  The 
lady  prevented  her  answering. 

"  Do  not  feel  hurt,  my  dearest,  it  is  for  you  and  not  tor  me. 
,  .  .  You  have  a  position,  and  you  must  keep  it." 

"  I  do  enough,  but  I  shall  not  allow  mj^self  to  be  mixed  up 
with  intrigues.  The  Emperor  knows  the  people  that  surround 
him  well,  he  does  not  need  my  advice." 

"  But,  ma  cherle,  there  is  no  question  of  intrigues,  but  of  your 
way  of  living.  You  ought  to  get  rid  of  certain  ideas  of  yours, 
you   ought  to  give   up  that   convent-like   existence.     People 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  367 

should  see  you,  should  feel  your  power.  You  have  convinced 
yourself  about  it.  Do  you  remember  in  Paris  when  you  were 
afraid  of  Josephine !  You  imagined  that  she  would  be  furious 
with  you,  but  it  was  quite  otherwise.  .  .  .  Three  times  Josephine 
wished  to  call  on  you,  and  you  refused  to  see  her.  What  an 
idea  !     It  worries  me." 

"  I  explained  to  you  several  times  why  I  did  not  wish  to  see 
the  Empress." 

''^Prejudices  are  good  in  our  country  houses,  but  not  in  the 
grand  monde  !  I  flatter  myself  that  it  is  not  the  first  Com't  that 
I  have  been  at.  You  may  not  mix  in  politics,  but  you  shoi;ld 
be  with  him,  he  should  see  you,  and  then  others  would  respect 
you." 

"  Princess,  our  opinions  differ  very  much  }  " 

"  Unfortunately  !  You  are  too  confident  in  yourself.  If  you 
listen  to  me  !     Enjin,  how  was  he  to-day  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know  myself  .  .  .  different  from  usual.  Thought- 
ful, absent-minded." 

"  Do  not  say  so ! " 

"  Yes,  it  puzzles  me.  I  have  not  for  a  long  time  seen  him  as 
he  was  to-day." 

"  Perhaps  Elćonore  again  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  think  so." 

"  Ah,  ma  cherie  !  You  do  not  know  people — yes,  you  do  not 
know,  and  I  would  swear  ..." 

"  Napoleon  gave  me  his  word.  .  .  ." 

"  His  word .''  Does  a  man  give  his  word  to  a  woman  for  the 
purpose  of  keeping  it  afterwards  }  " 

"You  have  a  peculiar  gift  of  irritating." 

"  Marie,  would  I  dare  ?  Do  you  not  see  that  a  most  sincere 
friendship  is  guiding  every  one  of  my  steps.  You  blame  me 
because  I  wish  to  be  vigilant !  " 

"  I  do  not  see  any  danger." 

"  H'm  !  who  knows  ?  Only  pray  do  not  irritate  yourself;  but 
in  your  position  one  should  expect  anything,  one  must  be  pre- 
pared for  the  worst.  .  .  .  But  you  do  not  wish  to  understand 
that.  .  .  .  Suppose  there  is  a  change  in  his  disposition — suppose 
you  should  be  obliged  to  give  him  up,  what  will  you  do  then  ? 
.  .  .  You  cannot  count  on  Anastazy.  .  .  .  You  will  be  welcome 


368  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

to  me^  but  shall  I  be  able  to  keep  you  in  your  position,  which 
has  its  requirements.  Do  not  deny  it,  ma  chere.  It  has  great 
requirements.  A  Walewska  can  withdraw,  but  she  must 
remember  who  she  is  }  " 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  smiled  bitterly. 

"  I  understand  my  position  too  well." 

The  Princess  sighed. 

"You  refute  all  arguments.  You  do  all  in  your  power  to 
lessen  even  that  influence  which  came  to  you  of  itself.  Instead 
of  catching  the  threads  you  break  them  wilfully.  I  had  a  letter 
to-day  from  Małachowski ;  there  they  know  no  more  than  we 
do  here." 

"  What  does  he  write  ?  " 

"  Naturally,  about  the  treaty.  The  news  had  come  already 
from  Vienna  to  Warsaw,  that  the  provinces  taken  from  Austria 
will  not  be  joined  to  the  principality  of  Warsaw." 

"  It  is  false  !  " 

"You  said  the  same  before  Tylza,"  said  the  Princess  Jabłon- 
owska drily. 

"Then  the  Emperor  could  not." 

"Let  us  suppose  it  was  as  you  say,  but  now  a  concession  in 
favour  of  Austria  is  still  more  strange." 

"How  shall  I  understand  this?" 

"Ah,  cheńe  !  I  do  not  know  myself.  You  take  ever3'^thing  so 
seriously.  But  you  should  know  that  I  am  the  last  to  hurt  your 
feelings.  And  then  perhaps  it  is  only  gossip,  although  one  is 
obliged  to  take  it  into  account.  But  perhaps  it  would  be  better 
if  you  do  not  know  anything  about  it.  My  dearest,  let  me  kiss 
you.  .  .  .  Do  you  feel  cold }  Let  us  go  in,  the  dampness  may 
be  dangerous  to  you." 

Pani  Walewska  listened  patiently  to  this  speech,  varied  by 
several  kisses  deposited  on  her  shajjely  head,  and  when  the 
Princess  finished  her  preface  by  putting  a  handkerchief  to  her 
eyes,  the  Chamberlain's  wife  said  :  "  I  daresay  you  understand 
that  now  I  must  insist  upon  your  telling  me  everything — you 
must  share  your  apprehensions  with  me." 

"  But  is  it  worth  while  ?  They  say  .  .  . !  And  what  do  they 
not  say  ?  It  is  a  trifle,  and  you  cannot  imagine  how  painful  it  is 
to  me  to  repeat  such  things." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  369 

An  ironical  smile  appeared  in  Pani  Walewska's  face. 

'^  If  it  is  really  such  a  trifle  ?  " 

There  was  fright  in  the  Princess's  small  eyes. 

"  H'm !  I  cannot  say  that.  .  .  ,  On  the  contrary^  to  a  cer- 
tain degree  one  should  count  with  it.  It  is  apparently  a  trifle. 
Only,  my  dearest,  do  not  take  it  too  earnestly.  Every  cloud 
on  your  forehead  is  painful  to  me.     Yes,  cheiie,  very  painful !  " 

Here  Princess  Jabłonowska  seated  herself  on  the  bench 
near  Pani  Walewska,  and,  assuming  a  melancholy  expression, 
began  to  arrange  the  folds  of  her  silk  frock. 

Pani  Walewska  listened  to  the  rustling  of  the  trees  coming 
from  the  park,  and  after  a  while  said  quietly :  '^  Pray,  speak 
then ! " 

"Well,  if  you  wish  I  must  give  in.  For  could  I  refuse  you 
anything?  Although  it  costs  me  such  an  effort.  You  could 
hardly  believe.  Oh,  mon  Dieu  !  how  charming  you  look  in  that 
moonlight !  Is  he  worthy  of  you  ?  Ah  !  ma  chere  la  Valliere  ! 
Do  not  pout,  for  they  give  you  that  name.  If  you  could  have 
such  a  residence  as  la  Valliere  had !  I  will  tell  you  everything, 
my  dear,  although  it  is  painful  to  me.  Listen,  then.  .  .  .  M. 
de  Flahaut,  the  most  unbearable  gossip,  although  he  is  very 
well  at  Court,  is  madly  in  love  with  Anetka !  Truly,  I  do  not 
understand  Potocka.  Were  he  at  least  a  marshal.  Murat  was 
courting  her.  ..." 

"  And  what  about  de  Flahaut  ?  " 

"  I  met  him  yesterday  in  Vienna.  We  were  talking  about 
horoscopes  for  our  country,  and  imagine  that  he  assured  me  that 
it  will  be  another  Tilsit — with  this  difference,  that  it  is  not  yet 
known  who  will  play  the  part  of  Marie  Louise.  You  under- 
stand? Then  they  say — pray  do  not  take  it  too  seriously — that 
Eleonorę,  bribed  by  the  Austrian  diplomacy,  is  preparing  her- 
self to  play  a  scene  .  .  .  my  dearest,  you  tremble  !  I  told  you 
it  is  damp  ...  I  shall  finish,  and  we  shall  go  in.  I  always 
hated  that  woman.  But  what  could  we  do?  She  will  throw  her- 
self at  his  feet,  she  will  beseech  him  in  the  name  of  her  son,  and 
the  man  will  believe  her  tears,  as  a  man  always  does,  and  will 
wipe  them  by  giving  Austria  our  province.     And  who  knows  ?  " 

"Have  you  finished?"  asked  Pani  Walewska,  with  a  strange 
intonation  in  her  voice, 
2  B 


370  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

The  Princess  looked  inquisitively  at  Pani  WalcAvska's  face, 
which  was  no  longer  bathed  in  moonlight^  and  could  hardly  be 
seen  in  the  dark  corner  of  the  veranda,  and  replied  with  well- 
played  simplicity  :  "  No,  my  dear  child,  I  have  not  finished  yet, 
for  could  you  think  that,  knowing  about  the  danger  threatenmg 
you,  I  should  not  take  some  steps  to  prevent  it  ?  It  seems  to 
you  that  I  have  no  experience,  and  that  I  do  not  know  that  in 
such  circumstances  one  must  act,  one  must  defend  one's  self? 
You  know  that  I  had  several  errands  to  do,  eh  hien,  I  have  done 
nothing,  for  as  soon  as  that  gossip  was  told  me  about  Eleonorę 
I  had  myself  driven  at  once  to  the  Prince  de  Ligny's.  He 
lives  incogniio,  and  how  he  suffers !  How  he  still  loves  those 
Bourbons  !  It  is  moving !  I  do  not  share  his  ideas,  but  it  is 
moving  !  Then  the  Prince  suffers,  for  as  you  know  he  came  to 
Vienna,  not  for  the  purpose  of  building  arches  to  Bonaparte ! 
De  Ligny  is  Schwarzenberg's  friend,  and  he  is  very  devoted  to 
me.  I  told  him  the  whole  truth,  for  we  cannot  let  Eleonorę  do 
as  she  pleases.  Then  you  have  the  right  of  precedence,  and 
should  anybody  get  any  advantage  from  the  treaty  it  must  be 
you,  my  dearest,  for  you  are  in  power. 

"The  Prince  promised  me  faithfully  to  speak  with  Schwar- 
zenberg  about  it.  There  is  no  doubt  that  Eleonorę  will  be 
removed.  They  will  not  risk  having  an  enemy  in  you,  if  they 
have  an  opportunity  of  havmg  you  as  their  ally.  Naturally, 
I  said  that  Mme.  Walewska's  terms  could  not  be  the  same  as 
some  Mademoiselle's  or  Madame  Eleonore's.  Then  they  see, 
my  dearest,  that  there  is  nothing  lost,  that  the  intrigue  is  frus- 
trated, and  that  it  depends  on  your  goodwill  to  end  it  well." 

"  In  a  word.  Princess,  you  advise  me  to  act  against  the 
interests  of  my  own  country,  to  intrigue  in  favour  of  Austria, 
and  to  induce  the  Emperor  to  withdraw  Poniatowski  and  his 
army  from  Galicia  .'' " 

"  You  interpret  the  whole  affair  wrong.  There  is  no  question 
what  provinces  should  be  taken  or  returned  to  Austria,  but  of 
having  a  material  proof  that  it  is  done  through  you.  The 
armistice  is  continued  ;  the  Emperor,  as  you  said  yourself,  would 
like  to  return  to  Paris  as  soon  as  possible ;  Stadion  is  j^utting  off 
— perhaps  he  is  preparing  a  fresh  alliance  ;  in  Spain  the  war  is 
still  raging,  so  that  it  is  difficult  to  say  who  Avishes  for  a  treaty 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  371 

most.  At  any  rate,  I  have  done  the  most  difficult  part.  De 
Ligny  will  keep  his  word.  ...  It  is  probable  that  to-morrow 
we  shall  have  some  news  .  .  .  well,  speaking  frankly,  I  expect 
at  any  minute  a  courier  from  Schwarzenberg.  A  disguised 
cornier — I  do  not  know  myself  how — he  will  bring  you  a  letter 
and  perhaps  will  ask  for  an  answer." 

"Then  you  are  certain,  Princess,  that  Schwarzenberg  will 
send  me  a  messenger  ? " 

"  Very  certain." 

"  In  that  case  I  should  at  once  give  orders  .  .  ." 

"  My  dearest,  you  must  not  do  that !  Nobody  must  even 
suspect." 

"  I  shall  only  speak  with  the  officer  on  duty." 

"  What  do  you  mean  }  " 

^'Simply  this,  that  I  cannot  ask  old  John  and  the  maids  to 
struiigle  with  some  strapping  Austrian." 

f  What  do  you  propose  to  do,  then  ?  " 

"To  arrest  the  spy  and  hand  him  over  to  the  gendarmes." 

Princess  Jabłonowska  rushed  from  the  bench,  and,  crush- 
ing her  hands,  said  rapidly  :  "  Marie,  child,  consider  !  What 
an  idea !  But  I  shall  not  permit  it !  I  shall  not  bear  such 
levity.  You  can  do  what  you  please  with  regard  to  yourself,  but 
you  have  no  right  to  repay  the  Prince  de  Ligny  in  that  way  for 
his  goodwill,  to  compromise  me,  to  make  me  ridiculous.  ..." 

"  I  am  very  sorry  !  " 

"  In  that  case  it  remains  for  me  to  inform  the  Prince  at  once." 

"You  shall  not  do  it,"  said  Pani  Walewska  quietly,  but  with 
determination. 

"  I  cannot  act  otherwise.  I  should  never  forgive  mj'self  if  the 
Prince  should  suffer  because  of  me.  Therefore,  think  it  over. 
I  am  going  to  wi-ite  the  letter.  I  must  perform  this  painful 
duty.  .  .  ." 

"  You  do  not  need  to  hasten." 

"  What .''  Marie !  Is  it  possible  that  some  good  spirit 
whispered  to  you  to  have  confidence  in  me,  who  love  you  so 
sincerely  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  replied  quietly — 

"  You  misunderstand  me,  Princess !  You  forget  that  not  a 
scrap  of  paper  can  enter  or  leave  this  house  without  first  passing 


372  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

through  the  Emperor's  bureau,  and  this  means  that  if  you  per- 
severe in  carrying  out  your  plans,  you  would  find  yourself  in 
the  same  position  as  that  Austrian  spy,  should  he  come  here." 

The  Princess  was  struck  dumb,  and  she  could  only  speak 
after  a  while. 

"  It  surpasses  all  conception  !  For  my  self-sacrifice,  for  my 
devotion!  Oh,  mon  Dieu!  to  threaten  me!  C' est  trop  fort ! 
Oh,  je  lie  supportcrais  cela  !  Water !  Ah,  if  ma  j)ativre  mere 
were  living !  Let  some  one  unbutton  me  !  Lord,  nobody  to 
unbutton  !     Could  I  expect  such  an  ohUgeaiice  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  called  the  servants.  The  Princess,  in  order 
to  relax  her  irritation,  complained,  not  paying  any  attention  to 
the  presence  of  the  maids. 

"  De  Ligny  trusted  me.  I  Avanted  to  help  her.  Water  !  No, 
take  it  away.  What  are  you  doing  ?  No,  no,  do  not  unbutton 
me,  I  am  going  at  once  !  Send  for  a  carriage.  I  am  going,  for 
I  will  not  Avait  here  for  Eleonorę !  Rose,  fan  me !  Pack  my 
boxes  at  once.  For  my  kindness  to  threaten  me  with  arrest ! 
O  est  brusque  !     To  frighten  me  !  " 

Notwithstanding  her  irritation,  the  Princess  noticed  that  Pani 
Walewska  went  away. 

"  Has  she  gone  ?  " 

"Yes,  your  Highness.     Shall  I  rub  you  with  salts?" 

"  No ;  go  to  my  bedroom,  draw  the  blind,  perfume  it  with 
lavender,  light  the  lamps,  and  ,  you  will  tell  me  my 
fortune .'' " 

"  When  will  he  come  ?  " 

"  Rose,  silence !  Not  a  word.  Help  me.  Malvina,  on  this 
side.     Go  slowly." 

The  maids  did  as  they  were  told ;  they  took  the  Princess  by 
the  arms  and  conducted  her  to  her  rooms. 

The  little  house  on  the  edge  of  Schoenbrunn  Park  became 
quiet.  The  lights  disappeared  one  by  one ;  evidently  its 
inmates  had  retired.  The  park  followed  the  example  of  the 
house.  The  crickets  stopped  their  chirping,  and  but  for  the 
measured  tread  of  the  sentries,  but  for  bayonets  shining  here 
and  there  over  the  thickets,  it  would  have  seemed  that  the 
charm  of  a  July  night  had  made  everything  sleepy,  that  it 
had  stopped  even  the  beating  of  human  hearts.     All  at  once  a 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  373 

clatter  of  horses'  feet  sounded  in  the  depths  of  the  park.  The 
clatter  increased  until  it  became  silent  at  the  edge  of  the  glen, 
stopped  by  a  loudly  pronounced  :  "  Qui  vive  ?  " 

"  Kleber  ct  Marengo  .'"  proudly  answered  a  sonorous  voice. 

"  Shall  I  conduct  you  to  the  officer  on  duty,  sir  ?  " 

"  No  ;  which  way  shall  I  turn  ?  " 

"  To  the  right." 

"  Have  they  already  retired  ? " 

"  I  do  not  think  so,  sir ;  I  saw  a  light  a  little  while  ago." 

The  officer  went  on  toAvards  the  house.  As  he  was  dismount- 
ing before  the  portico  the  moon  threw  its  light  on  him,  and  in 
that  light  one  could  see  the  purple  colour  and  silver  embroidery 
of  his  uniform,  a  large  tuft  and  a  gold  plate  on  his  bearskin. 

Having  dismounted,  the  officer  hung  the  reins  over  the 
pommel  of  his  saddle,  and  leaving  the  horse  to  himself,  rapped 
energetically  at  the  door. 

After  a  while,  and  after  some  alarm  in  the  house,  which  could 
be  perceived  by  lights  that  appeared  in  several  windows,  the 
door  opened  and  an  old  servant  holding  a  lantern  appeared  in  it. 

"  Pani  Walewska  lives  here  ?  "  asked  the  new-comer  in  Polish. 

The  servant  sank  his  head  between  his  shoulders  and  looked 
at  the  officer  in  wonder. 

"  Do  you  not  understand  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,  it  is  here,  your  honour  .  .  .  only  .  .  ." 

''An  urgent  message  !  "  said  the  officer  sharply. 

The  man  made  a  grimace,  opened  the  door  wider,  invited  the 
officer  in,  then  trotted  to  a  room,  lighted  a  candle,  and  having 
returned  to  him,  said  :  "  If  your  honour  will  be  so  kind  as  to 
follow  me." 

The  officer  entered  the  little  room,  straightened  out  his 
uniform,  clanged  his  spurs,  caressed  his  moustache,  and  com- 
manded :  "  Announce  me  to  Pani  Walewska.  I  am  Paul 
Jerzmanowski,  captain  of  the  Light  Horse  of  the  Guards  of  His 
Majesty  the  Emperor." 

The  servant  bowed  respectfully,  muttered  significantly,  and 
pushing  a  chair  to  the  officer,  said  confidentially :  "  It  was  so 
dark,  your  honour,  that  I  did  not  recognise  the  uniform — and 
such  a  beautiful  one !  It  is  a  great  festival  for  me  to  look  at  it 
with  my  old  eyes." 


S74  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

The  officer  looked  kindly  with  his  sharp  black  eyes  at  the  old 
servant. 

"Thank  you  for  your  kind  words." 

The  old  man  winked  at  him  cunningly. 

"We  only  see  here  the  chasseurs  a  cheval.  They  are  nice 
people,  one  must  say,  but  impossible  to  exchange  with  them  a 
word  in  human  tongue." 

"  H'm,  yes  !     Well,  announce  me,  for  I  am  in  haste." 

"I  am  sure  there  will  be  no  answer." 

"  Go  ;  go  and  be  quick  ! " 

The  old  man  scratched  his  head  and  did  not  budge. 

"  Your  honour,  I  may  be  trusted.  I  will  give  it  to  her  lady- 
ship faithfully.  The  gentlemen  hand  to  me  letters  aiad  I  carry 
them  to  my  lady,  and  before  the  orderly  has  time  to  empty  a 
bottle  I  bring  the  answer." 

The  officer  tugged  impatiently  at  his  moustache. 

"  Sacre  bleu  !  Announce  me  to  the  lady,  and  do  not  take  me 
for  a  messenger  !  " 

"I  beg  of  your  worship,"  stammered  the  frightened  servant, 
'Hhose  are  my  orders.  My  lady  does  not  receive  even  a 
general.  ..." 

The  officer  put  his  hand  on  the  old  man's  shoulder,  pressed  it 
hard,  and  having  turned  him  like  a  broom,  said  in  his  imperative 
voice — 

"  Sacrć  hleti  !  Announce  me  !  If  not,  1  shall  announce  my- 
self!" 

At  such  an  argument  the  servant  bowed  and  disappeared  at 
the  door. 

The  officer  having  remained  alone,  began  to  walk  to  and  fro, 
clanging  his  spurs,  tugging  at  his  moustache,  and  looking  from 
time  to  time  at  the  door. 

Evidently  he  came  here  on  very  important  business,  for  thei'e 
were  deep  wrinkles  on  his  broad  forehead. 

A  long  moment  passed  before,  after  some  noise  in  other  rooms 
of  the  house.  Jerzmanowski  beheld  an  elderly  lady  wrapped  in 
a  dressing-gown,  and  with  a  dishevelled  wig  on  her  head,  rushing 
into  the  room. 

The  captain  of  the  Light  Horse  drew  himself  up,  and  then 
bent  in  a  court  boAv. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  375 

"Madame/'  he  began. 

The  lady  did  not  permit  him  to  speak  further.  She  stretched 
out  her  bony  hands  with  a  dramatic  movement,  and  Avhispered  : 
"  I  know,  I  know  all  about  it !  Do  not  say  a  word  to  her !  It 
would  be  in  vain  !  " 

Jerzmanowski,  surprised  at  such  an  unexpected  greeting,  said 
impatiently  :  "  Excuse  me,  Madame,  but,  upon  my  word,  I  do 
not  imderstand  anything,  for  hardly  an  hour  since  .  .  ." 

"  Yes,  yes,  but  for  God's  sake  not  a  word !  Even  here  you 
are  not  very  safe !  I  know  for  certain  that  they  have  already 
sent  for  the  sentry.  You  must  escape.  Yes,  yes,  trust  me,  I 
shall  save  you.   .   .  ." 

"  What !  Save  me  .''  Sacre  bleu  !  Excuse  my  camp  expres- 
sion, but  what  the  deuce  ..." 

The  lady  hung  on  the  officer's  arm  and  explained  with  pathetic 
terror  :  "  Listen  to  me  !  I  am  Jabłonowska  !  Oni,  cest  moi ! 
You  brought  a  letter !  Stoop  a  little,  I  will  tell  you  in  your  ear ! 
De  Ligny,  Schwarzenberg  !     Well  now  }  " 

Jerzmanowski  looked  stupefied  at  the  Princess,  trying  in  vain 
to  understand  the  mysterious  words.  Jabłonowska  continued : 
"  There  is  not  a  moment  to  lose  !  Consider,  you  will  expose  me 
to  a  danger,  you  will  compromise  the  Prince  !  She  is  a  dreadful 
woman !  Only  to-day  I  learned  that !  Imagine,  she  threatened 
to  have  me  arrested,  imprisoned  !  Wliere  is  the  letter  }  Give 
it  me.     I  will  burn  it !     Do  you  hear  }     They  are  coming  !  " 

The  captain,  stunned  by  the  spasmodic  outburst  of  the 
Princess,  stood  surprised,  knowing  less  and  less  what  she  wanted 
of  him. 

As  to  the  Princess,  she  having  looked  into  the  brown  eyes  of 
the  handsome  officer  of  the  Light  Horse,  concluded  with  despaii'- 
ing  determination  :  "  I  will  not  allow  you  to  get  into  trouble  ! 
Where  is  the  paper }  I  must  have  it !  Be  quick  !  I  will  burn 
it !  It  must  not  reach  her  hands  !  Wait,  something  is  rustling 
here  under  your  uniform  !     It  must  be  the  letter !  " 

"  But,  Madame,"  protested  the  officer,  seeing  that  the  Princess 
meant  to  search  him. 

"  Do  not  be  afraid  for  me.  Think  of  yourself.  Here  it  is ! 
I  shall  not  give  it  to  her.  I  shall  not  permit  you  to  suffer  on 
account  of  me." 


376  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

And  before  the  officer  had  noticed,  the  Princess  seized  the 
order  of  service  Avhich  he  was  carrying  under  his  uniform,  and 
disappeared  with  it. 

The  officer  could  hardly  control  his  surprise  at  all  this,  think- 
ing that  the  lady  must  be  half  mad,  when  Pani  Walewska 
appeared  in  the  doorway.     The  captain,  recognising  her,  bowed. 

"  My  due  respect,  Madame.  I  am  Jerzmanowski,  captain  of 
the  Light  Horse  of  His  Imperial  Majesty.  I  had  the  honour  to 
be  introduced  to  you  at  Prince  Borghese's  ball.  A  very  urgent 
affair  forces  me  to  trouble  you." 

Speaking  thus,  the  captain  drew  himself  up,  rattled  his  silver 
belt,  clattered  his  sword,  and  clashed  his  spurs.  Pani  Walewska 
nodded  slightly  to  the  officer's  bow,  and  then  said  coolly  and 
distinctly :  "  I  am  surprised  that  you  have  accepted  such  an 
errand ! " 

"What  am  I  to  understand  ? "  answered  the  officer,  offended. 

"  Have  you  a  letter  ?  " 

"  A  letter  !     But,  poor  man,  he  cannot  move  his  arm  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  ironically. 

"  Do  not  think  I  shall  assume  the  role  of  inquisitor,  but  in 
the  meanwhile  you  must  know  that  I  have  chosen  the  road 
shown  to  me  by  duty.  The  letter  will  be  found,  even  if  you 
have  succeeded  in  handing  it  to  Princess  Jabłonowska." 

The  officer  made  an  impatient  movement,  understanding  that 
he  had  fallen  into  a  whirlpool  of  some  mystification. 

"  But,  Madame,  I  do  not  understand  one  word  of  all  that.  A 
little  while  ago  some  lady  in  tears  rushed  at  me,  and,  clasping 
her  hands,  told  me  that  she  would  rescue  me  from  some  peril. 
To  the  deuce  !  I  came  here  not  secretly,  but  with  a  password 
and  on  a  mission.  ..." 

"Then  Princess  Jabłonowska  has  taken  the  writing.''"  inter- 
rupted Pani  Walewska  feverishly. 

"Yes,  she  seized  it  from  under  my  uniform." 

"  It  is  true,  I  have  taken  it ! "  resounded  the  Princess's 
screeching  voice  triumphantly. 

Pani  Walewska  turned  to  the  Princess,  and  said — 

"  I  believe.  Princess,  that  having  understood  the  importance 
of  that  document,  you  will  give  it  back  ?" 

"That  document  does  not  exist  any  longer !  " 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  377 

" Sacre  bleu  J" 

"  Do  not  be  afraid  !  I  could  not  allow  the  name  of  the  noble 
de  Ligny  to  be  dishonoured  on  account  of  my  indiscretion,  and 
your  self-sacrifice  to  be  exposed  to  the  maliciousness  of  a  person 
who  does  not  understand  her  own  good." 

"  Princess  !  "  Pani  Walewska  remonstrated. 

The  Princess  half  closed  her  eyes,  and  said  with  force  :  ''That 
document  does  not  exist  any  longer ;  I  have  burnt  it !  " 

At  this  Pani  Walewska  started,  while  the  officer  grew  purple, 
and  burst  out — 

"  Sucre  bleu  !  that  paper  was  the  service  order  for  to-morrow  ! 
I  received  it  from  the  general  staff  as  I  came  here,  and  I  have 
not  had  even  time  to  look  at  it.  Upon  my  honour,  it  is  very 
serious  !  " 

"Allow  me,  sir,"  said  Pani  Walewska,  who  began  to  under- 
stand.    "Then  to  what  have  I  to  attribute  your  tardy  visit  ?  " 

The  officer  dropped  his  head,  deep  wrinkles  appeared  on  his 
forehead. 

"  I  came  here  on  a  sad  errand.  An  old  comrade,  a  friend, 
is  dying,  and  he  made  me  promise  to  bring  you  his  last 
greeting.  .   .  ." 

The  officer  became  silent  suddenly,  turned  his  face  away,  and 
tugged  at  his  moustache. 

Pani  Walewska  grew  pale,  and,  having  dropped  her  head, 
seemed  to  wait  for  the  dying  man's  name.  The  officer  of  the 
Light  Horse  stood  silent. 

The  stillness  was  only  interrupted  by  the  rustling  of  the  dress 
of  the  Princess,  who  listened  eagerly  to  such  an  unexpected 
ending  to  the  de  Ligny-Schwarzenberg  intrigue. 

"And  what  more ? "  said  Pani  Walewska  with  an  effort. 

The  officer  answered  sadly — 

"That  is  all!" 

"But  I  must  know  .  .  ." 

The  officer  breathed  deeply,  and  began  to  speak  at  first 
gently  and  then  more  distinctly.  "  He  had  never  been  well," 
said  the  officer ;  "  he  was  always  sad,  on  that  account  we  called 
him  '  Sniveller,'  but  we  all  loved  him,  for  he  was  a  very  good- 
hearted  and  ambitious  fellow.  When  he  joined  the  army  he 
became  an  example  to  the  whole  regiment ;  he  was  the  first  one 


37a  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

up  and  he  went  to  bed  last ;  he  worked  constantly,  and  cared 
for  his  soldiers  as  for  his  OAvn  children.  If  a  soldier  was 
wronged,  he  would  bother  a  marshal  until  justice  was  done, 
until  a  reward  was  granted,  until  the  mischief  was  forgiven. 
When  he  rode  at  the  head  of  his  squadron  of  horse  it  seemed 
that  he  would  not  be  able  to  ride  a  mile,  so  weak  he  continually 
was.  But  as  soon  as  the  signal  for  attack  was  given,  then  he 
rushed  with  such  impetuosity  that  nobody  could  equal  him. 
Such  he  was !  He  would  cough  and  would  speak  only  in  a 
whisper,  but  as  soon  as  a  command  was  given  he  would  rush 
first  into  the  whirlpool,  and  be  the  bravest  amongst  the 
bravest.  He  was  called  ^Sniveller,'  but  he  would  go  first  into 
the  fire — Avould  rush  to  meet  the  balls.  One  of  them  he  found 
at  Rioseco,  another  at  Madrid,  a  third  one  at  Eckmiihl,  and  the 
last  one  at  Wagram.  He  was  taken  to  the  ambulance.  The 
news  spread  in  the  regiment  that  he  had  been  trampled  under 
the  horses'  feet.  His  own  soldiers  did  not  see  him  when  he 
disappeared.  Only  about  ten  days  after  news  came  to  the 
general  staff  that  he  was  alive.  Dautancourt  sent  Girardot  at 
once  with  an  ambulance  and  the  order  to  bring  him  to  Lanzens- 
dorf.  Girardot  remained  for  five  days,  and  returned  with  the 
'^  Sniveller.'  I  wanted  to  see  him  at  once,  but  I  had  not 
a  minute  to  spare.  I  only  learned  from  Załuski  that  the 
'Sniveller's '  shoulder  was  wounded — not  very  dangerously — and 
that  he  had  a  fever. 

"  To-day,  about  noon,  when  I  was  coming  back  from  service 
with  my  squadron  of  horse,  Fredro  rushed  to  me  and  said : 
'The  Sniveller  wishes  to  see  you.'  A  bad  presentiment  took 
hold  of  me,  and  I  rushed  at  a  gallop.  In  half  an  hour  I  was 
at  the  house  in  Lanzendorf.  Girardot  met  me.  How  is  he  ? 
What .''  The  surgeon  dropped  his  eyes  and  said  that  the  wound 
was  a  dangerous  one.  I  looked  at  Girardot  and  thought  that  he 
had  become  a  madman.  I  did  not  believe  the  medical  man's 
croaking.  I  swore  to  myself,  and  rushed  to  the  room.  '  How 
are  you.  Sniveller  ? '  I  shouted  from  the  threshold.  The  room 
was  half  dark  ;  he  was  lying  in  his  bed.  I  began  to  joke  at  the 
Sniveller,  who  nodded  to  me,  smiled,  and  said  that  he  was  going 
on  half-pay.  It  sounded  strange  to  me,  but  I  did  not  show  it, 
and  approved  his  intention,  and  wishing  to  amuse  him,  began  to 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  379 

tell  about  the  last  reviev/  at  Schoenbrunn.  Suddenly  he  seized 
me  by  the  hand,  and  said  :  '  Excuse  me,  my  half-pay  is  coming 
on.  There  is  not  much  time  left,  and  I  have  still  much  to  do. 
I  wanted  to  ask  you  to  carry  my  greetings  to  those  I  loved,  and 
send  my  things  away  ! '  '  Snivellei*,  sacre  bleu  !  that  stupid  shot 
has  made  you  feverish.'  The  Sniveller  made  a  movement,  took 
off  the  bandage,  and  shoAving  his  bluish  arm,  said  :  '  To  be  sure  it 
is  stupid  ;  it  does  not  even  bleed.  I  have  lost  so  much  blood  that 
there  is  not  a  drop  left  in  me.  Formerly  it  used  to  come  out 
even  from  my  mouth,  to-day  it  does  not  come  even  from  the 
wound.  I  hoped  to  find  a  piece  of  lead  that  would  quench  my 
life  at  once,  but  in  vain ;  even  the  bullets  would  not  kill  such 
a  man  as  I  am.  They  only  notched  me,  poured  out  all  my  blood, 
and  now  I  must  wither.'  '  To  the  deuce  !  You  covered,  not  only 
yourself,  but  the  whole  regiment  with  glory.  You  exposed  your- 
self too  much,  you  did  not  wish  to  listen  to  honest  advice ! ' 
'  For  I  could  not  .  .  .  here  in  my  chest  it  burned  me.'  The 
Sniveller  stretched  his  thin,  bony  arms  to  me,  and  said  in  a 
whisper :  '  Paul,  I  wish  to  make  a  confession  to  you.  You  are 
strong,  your  heart  and  soul  are  sound  ;  and  I,  although  I  followed 
your  war  cries,  wanted  to  quench  the  grief  that  was  devouring 
me,  I  was  searching  for  oblivion  ;  I  was  a  Judas  in  our  regiment. 
You  went  to  death  to  give  proofs  of  your  bravery,  to  show  your 
gratitude  to  Napoleon,  while  I  amongst  you  was  a  selfish  man, 
who  wished  to  die  like  a  hei'o,  while  I  was  only  a  wretch 
deceived  by  love,  pushed  away  by  a  woman !  Apparently  I  was 
one  of  you,  but  in  fact  I  was  a  stranger.  And  it  is  done  now ! 
It  Avas  not  permitted  to  me  to  cany  the  secret  of  my  selfishness 
to  the  grave  ! '  He  became  silent,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that  he 
was  delirious.  I  tried  to  comfort  him.  He  listened  patiently, 
till  at  last  he  interrupted  me,  beseeching  me  to  do  his  last  wish. 
I  promised.  He  ordered  a  light  to  be  brought  in.  He  sat  on 
his  bed,  and  haA'ing  taken  out  from  under  his  shirt  a  miniature, 
asked  me  Avhether  I  kncAv  the  person  it  represented.  I  was 
surprised ;  the  portrait  of  a  beautiful  lady  seemed  familiar  to 
me.  The  Sniveller  said  :  '  She  is  not  far  from  here  !  Do  not 
deny  it,  I  knoAv  it  for  certain  !  If  she  kncAv,  perhaps  she  Avould 
not  refuse.  ...  I  shall  not  complain  and  make  any  reproaches  ; 
she  shall  not  hear  one  complaint,  she  shall  not  see  even  a  shade 


380  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

of  grief.  ...  I  wish  only  to  take  leave  of  her,  and  tell  her  that, 
knowing  her  sorrow,  I  would  render  her  a  last  service  !  Go  and 
tell  her !  Hasten,  for  perhaps  I  shall  not  live  till  morning ! 
His  request  seemed  to  me  impossible.  I  tried  persuasion.  The 
Sniveller  fainted.  I  did  not  know  what  to  do,  for  I  had  engaged 
my  word.  I  left  Girardot  with  the  Sniveller,  and  rushed  to 
headquarters  to  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court.  Duroc  was 
very  kind  to  me,  and  although  he  could  not  give  me  permission, 
he  did  not  spare  me  some  advice,  and  did  not  dissuade  me  from 
taking  my  chance.  I  rushed  here  at  once  to  you,  Madame,  and 
here  I  am." 

Pani  Walewska,  who  during  this  long  narrative  seemed  to  be 
changed  into  a  statue,  sighed  deeply.  Fi-om  her  lips  came  a 
quiet,  trembling  whisper. 

"  But  you  did  not  say  his  name.  ...  I  do  not  know  who  he 
is.     I  am  afraid  to  make  conjectures.  .   .  ." 

The  officer  became  red,  his  eyes  filled  with  tears,  the  breath- 
ing seemed  to  be  stopped  in  his  chest. 

For  a  while  he  was  fighting  with  emotion,  till  at  last  he 
tugged  at  his  shoulder-belt,  and  said  in  a  hoarse  voice — 

"  Madame,  Gorayski  is  dying  !  " 

After  that  exclamation  there  was  quiet  in  the  room.  The 
officer  dropped  his  head.  Pani  Walewska  stood  motionless,  cold, 
looking  at  the  purple  facings  of  his  uniform — only  it  seemed 
that  the  lively  hue  of  the  purple  irritated  her  eyes,  for  her  eye- 
lids quivered,  and  her  eyelashes  moved. 

"  How  far  from  here  ?  "  she  asked  suddenly. 

"  About  one  hour." 

"  Shall  we  arrive  in  time  .''  " 

"  I  do  not  know." 

"  I  will  go  at  once  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  rushed  from  the  room.  The  officer  cleared 
his  throat,  took  out  a  handkerchief  and  began  to  wipe  his  fore- 
head, and  then  turned  towards  the  door  leading  to  the  ante- 
chamber.    He  was,  however,  stopped  by  the  Princess. 

"  Very  well !  Splendid  !  "  the  latter  said  in  rapture.  "  What 
an  experience  !     What  a  clever  stratagem !  " 

"What?"  muttered  the  officer. 

"  I  guessed  your  ruse  at  once.     Only   such   ways  are  good 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  381 

with  her !  I  tell  you  that  she  had  already  informed  the 
sentries.  I  admire  your  idea.  Do  not  be  afraid— the  paper 
does  not  exist." 

The  officer  did  not  answer,  and  rushed  to  the  vestibule, 
leaving  the  Princess  to  her  reflections.  Such  behaviour  from 
the  messenger  of  Schwarzenberg  cooled  the  Princess  at  once, 
and  turned  her  imagination  in  another  direction.  Suppose  that 
officer  really  came  in  the  name  of  Gorayski  ?  Suppose  Goray- 
ski  .  .  .?     In  that  case  one  must  act. 

The  Princess  had  already  her  plan  of  action,  and  when  Pani 
Walewska  appeared  ready  to  go,  the  Princess  said  sarcastically : 
"I  am  much  vexed  that  you  wish  to  hazard  your  reputation." 

"I  do  not  understand." 

"  H'm  !  .  .  .  but  it  is  not  difficult.  At  night,  with  an  officer 
to  see  another  officer.  .  .  ." 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  I  am  my  own  mistress." 

"Certainly.  Only  if  the  Emperor  hears  about  that  expedi- 
tion, although  a  very  military  one,  and  in  your  position  doubly 
imprudent.  ..." 

"It  is  not  you,  but  I  who  shall  be  responsible." 

"  You  forget  that  moral  duty  forces  me  .  .  ." 

"  To  try  to  induce  me  to  intrigue  with  the  Prince  de  Ligny." 

The  Princess  made  an  angry  movement. 

"  But  not  to  such  expeditions." 

Pani  Walewska  shrugged  her  shoulders  contemptuously  and 
went  into  the  vestibule,  not  paying  any  attention  to  the 
Princess's  face  contorted  with  malice. 

In  front  of  the  vestibule,  besides  the  captain's  horse,  stood 
two  others  brought  by  John. 

The  Chamberlain's  wife  nodded  to  the  officer  of  the  Light 
Horse,  and,  helped  by  him,  mounted  her  horse ;  the  captain 
and  John  jumped  on  theirs. 

The  officer  turned  to  Pani  WaleAvska,  Avho  understood  his 
movement,  and  said :  "  Show  the  way." 

The  captain  went  ahead.  Pani  Walewska  and  John  following 
him. 

The  glen  was  filled  with  the  trampling  of  horses'  hoofs. 
The  surrounding  depths  of  the  park  answered  that  trampling 
with   a  long  rustling.     Shadows   came   out   from   behind   the 


382  NArOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

thickets,  monotonous  voices  were  heard  here  and  there,  the 
captain's  several  answers  sounded  in  the  interval,  and  the  three 
riders  disappeared  among  the  trees. 

Jerzmanowski  rushed  forward,  looking  behind  him  from  time 
to  time  as  if  wishing  to  hurry  Pani  Walew'ska,  who,  without  a 
word  of  protest,  kept  uji  with  him ;  only  when  they  turned 
from  the  main  road  on  a  stony  country  road,  the  Chamberlain's 
wife  said  hesitatingly — 

"  Permit  me  ...  I  must  slacken.   ...   Is  it  far  still .''  " 

The  captain  drew  in  his  horse  and  pointed  at  a  hill  in  the 
distance. 

"There  is  Lanzensdorf.  We  can  reach  it  in  a  quarter  of  an 
hour." 

"  Is  there  really  no  hope  ?  "  asked  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Girardot  says  so.  Yesterday  Dautancourt  wished  to  bring 
Larrey  to  the  Sniveller,  but  they  gave  up  the  useless  trouble. 
The  wound  does  not  bleed  any  more.  Sucre  bleu  !  I  never  saw 
a  more  villainous  one.  It  is  bluish,  swollen,  and  it  is  not  pain- 
ful. They  burned  it  with  hot  iron,  but  they  did  not  succeed  in 
bringing  out  any  blood.  Well,  it  flowed  from  the  Sniveller, 
through  his  wounds  and  his  mouth,  till  there  is  no  more  of  it 
in  him." 

Jerzmanowski  became  silent ;  he  pushed  his  shako  on  one 
side  and  laughed  gloomily. 

"They  promoted  him,  they  promised  him  a  cross,  but  he  will 
sooner  get  a  wooden  one  on  his  grave.  If  he  had  been  struck 
by  a  cannon-ball — well,  such  is  a  soldier's  lot !  But  no,  he  is 
lying  like  a  log,  and  must  wait  until  it  deigns  to  come.  Pfuy ! 
And  if  one  begins  to  think,  how  and  who  it  shall  be  .  .  .  then 
.  .  .  Sucre  bleu !  one  minute  of  torture  will  seem  to  one  a  couple 
of  years.  There  is  no  order  in  this  world.  Well,  this  way ! 
There  in  the  light." 

The  captain  spurred  his  horse  and  went  ahead  again,  in  the 
direction  of  a  house  that  stood  on  a  hill. 

In  front  of  the  house  Jerzmanowski  reined  in  his  horse  and 
threw  the  bridle  to  an  orderly,  who  at  sight  of  an  officer  rushed 
out  from  the  door ;  then  he  went  towards  Pani  Walewski,  who 
was  coming  up  with  John. 

"Allow  me,  Madame,  to  tell  him  about  your  coming." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  383 

Pani  Walewska  stopped.  The  captain  rushed  into  the  house 
and  returned  quickly. 

"Well?"  asked  Pani  Walewska  with  uneasiness. 

"He  is  asleep,  Girardot  says.  .  .  .  He  is  an  idiot!"  burst 
out  the  officer  angrily.  "  He  is  clever  as  long  as  he  does  not 
see  death,  sacre  bleu  !     Pray,  follow  me." 

Pani  Walewska  followed  the  captain,  who  introduced  her 
into  a  room  dimly  lighted  with  a  tallow  candle,  in  the  light  of 
which  she  could  not  even  see  a  group  of  officers  sitting  quietly 
— then  opened  another  door,  and  with  a  gesture  of  his  hand  he 
asked  her  to  enter. 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  few  steps  forward  and  found  herself 
in  a  large  square  room,  the  furniture  of  which  was  composed  of 
a  modest  pine  bed,  a  table  and  two  benches.  Three  tallow 
candles  lighted  the  room  so  feebly  that  Pani  Walewska  required 
a  few  minutes  to  see  the  objects  surrounding  her.  As  for 
Jerzmanowski,  he  seemed  to  be  at  home  here,  for  he  went 
straight  to  the  bed,  looked  at  it,  and,  moved  by  some  thought, 
walked  to  the  window,  at  which  a  tall  man  could  be  discerned. 

"Wasilewski,  sacre  bleu!"  he  said,  trying  to  control  his  wrath. 
"  You  put  the  full  uniform  on  him  !  " 

"  The  captain  himself  ordered  it." 

"  And  what  did  Girardot  say  }  He  is  a  painted  doll !  The 
collar  would  choke  him.  Tfny  !  You  donkeys  !  And  what  is 
that }  " 

"A  piece  of  consecrated  wax-candle." 

"Tfuy!  Tfuy ! "  spat  Jerzmanowski,  looking  still  more 
threateningly  at  the  sergeant  standing  erect.  "  You  are  almost 
grey,  and  still  you  are  stupid.  You  should  have  brought  a 
priest  to  him." 

"  According  to  order — he  just  left." 

"  What  ?     A  priest  .'* "  exclaimed  Jerzmanowski. 

"Well,  according  to  our  Christian  custom  ..." 

Jerzmanowski  made  an  impatient  movement  and  went  into  a 
dark  corner  of  the  room. 

At  that  moment  Pani  Walewska,  having  grown  used  to  the 
dusk,  came  to  the  bed  on  which  Captain  Gorayski  was  lying. 
But  hardly  had  she  looked  at  his  face  when  she  staggered,  and 
was  obliged  to  lean  on  the  foot  of  the  bed  so  as  to  prevent  her- 


384  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

self  from  falling.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  Chamberlain's  wife 
looked  with  astonishment  at  the  captain's  yellow,  cadaverous, 
motionless  face,  which  even  the  reflection  of  the  pm-ple  facing 
of  the  gala  uniform  could  not  animate.  Was  it  really  Gorayski, 
that  bashful  but  always  cheerful  playmate  of  her  childhood  ? 
Was  this  that  sentimental  youth  who  was  in  love  with  her  even 
then,  Avhen  she  was  still  living  in  her  parents'  house  ?  Was 
this  that  cavalier  full  of  self-denial,  who  was  the  first  to  warn 
her  of  the  abyss  towards  which  she  was  being  dragged  by  her 
family's  calculations  ?  Was  this  that  noble  man,  who  had  tried 
in  vain  to  change  her  sisterly  sentiment  into  another,  and  who, 
in  order  to  forget  his  disenchantment,  had  gone  to  the  war  to 
find  forgetfulness .''  Then  that  face  covered  with  deep  wrinkles, 
withered,  marked  with  suffering,  the  face  of  the  twenty-five- 
year-old  officer  of  the  Guards,  of  the  knight  who  used  to  rush 
into  the  fire,  of  an  enthusiast  risking  his  life .'' 

Pani  Walewska  passed  her  hand  over  her  eyes  as  if  wishing 
to  chase  away  a  nightmare.  Gorayski  made  a  movement — an 
attack  of  awful  coughing  moved  the  uniform  buttoned  over  his 
hollow  chest.  From  the  head  of  the  bed  rose  the  physician  and 
approached  a  glass  with  some  potion  to  the  captain's  lips. 
Gorayski  pressed  his  lips  eagerly  to  the  glass  and  drank  avidly. 
Then  he  breathed  and  whispered  :  "  Is  it  late .'' " 

''After  midnight." 

"  Has  he  returned  yet  ?  " 

The  surgeon  wished  to  answer,  when  suddenly  Gorayski's 
eyelids  quivered,  the  eyes  opened  wide  and  became  full  of  life. 
"  You  are  here !  You  are.  ...  I  was  sure !  You  did  not 
refuse ! " 

Pani  Walewska  drew  nearer. 

"I  have  just  heard  that  you  are  ill,  and  I  took  the  liberty  of 
coming  to  see  you,  and  asking  you  if  I  could  do  anything  for 
you." 

The  Chamberlain's  wife,  feeling  Gorayski's  fiery  look,  dropped 
her  eyes  and  blushed. 

"  Always  beautiful.  ...  As  beautiful  as  ever !  I  dreamed 
of  you  so,  so  I  wished  to  see  you  once  more." 

"  You  must  take  care  of  yourself — not  talk  too  much,  for  it 
tires  you,"  she  ti'ied  to  persuade  him. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  385 

Gorayski  made  an  impatient  movement. 

"No,  it  gives  me  strength.  Jerzmanowski!  Where  is  he  .^ 
A  .  .  .  pray,  leave  us  alone.  Wait ;  put  me  near  the  window. 
So  !     And  now  leave  us.  .  .  ." 

Jerzmanowski,  followed  by  the  surgeon  and  the  sergeant,  left 
the  room  quietly. 

Gorayski  was  silent  for  a  while,  and  then  said  in  a  whisper : 
"  Mary,  forgive  me  for  daring  to  disturb  the  quiet  of  this  lovely 
July  night.  ...  I  am  going  away,  but  it  is  not  for  this  reason 
that  I  troubled  you.  Were  I  burning  with  desire  to  see  you,  I 
could  have  controlled  that  wish,  and  I  would  not  have  sent  for 
3^ou  to  Schoenbrunn.  It  is  not  of  myself  that  I  wish  to  talk. 
Give  me  your  hand.  Do  you  feel  how  cold  mine  is  groAving  ? 
You  live  in  Schoenbrunn,  so  Fate  wished.  May  it  not  be  too 
hard  at  least  for  you.  Well,  perhaps  your  lot  would  have  been 
not  so  hard  if  not  for  your  brother.  Do  not  accuse  him — do  not 
judge  him ;  the  surprise  was  too  cruel.  I  saw  him  before  the 
first  Spanish  campaign.  We  had  several  long  talks,  till  finally  he 
swore  to  me  that  if  I  were  of  the  same  opinion  in  a  year's  time 
he  would  give  in.  He  was  going  to  the  front.  Before  leaving 
he  gave  me  this  ring  as  a  token.  I  accepted  it  on  condition 
that  it  was  to  be  an  agreed  sign  between  us.  Here  is  our  com- 
pact :  if  I  had  no  chance  of  seeing  him,  or  if,  when  dying,  I  still 
upheld  my  ideas  about  you,  I  was  to  give  you  this  ring.  It 
will  open  the  door  of  your  parents'  house  to  you,  as  well  as  your 
brother's  heart.  Take  it  from  me.  I  wished  to  send  it  to  you  by 
a  friend,  but  I  preferred  to  spare  you.  ..." 

"I  thank  you,"  answered  Pani  Walewska,  in  a  muffled  voice. 
"  I  appreciate  your  good  intentions,  but  I  do  not  think  that  I 
shall  need  that  enchanting  ring.  All  is  over  between  Paul  and 
me." 

Gorayski  pressed  Pani  Walewska's  hand. 

"  Mary,  for  God's  sake  do  not  speak  in  that  way  !  He  is  your 
brother,  he  loves  you.  He  is  a  soldier.  He  was  in  the  Polish 
legions.  He  did  not  know  anything  about  intrigues.  A 
thunderbolt  struck  him.  It  did  not  spare  even  his  soldier's 
honour.  He  was  in  despair.  Do  you  think  he  does  not  love  you, 
that  he  did  not  wish  to  justify  you  ?  In  me  he  wished  to  find  an 
affirmation  of  his  thoughts,  and  he  found  it.     He  wanted  time  to 

2    C 


886  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

become  accustomed  to  that  idea.  Mary,  do  not  follow  your 
pride.  He  is  your  brother.  There  may  come  a  time  when  you 
will  need  his  heart.  Look  at  me,  how  much  stronger  and  better 
I  could  have  been  had  I  had  a  sister  who  could  share  my 
sorrows.   .   ,   ." 

"  You  have  a  sister,"  interrupted  Pani  Walewska,  with  feeling, 
and  bent  to  the  captain's  hand. 

Gorayski  smiled  bitterly. 

"  You  alone  I  wished  not  to  have  for  a  sister." 

An  excess  of  coughing  tore  the  captain's  chest  again. 

Pani  Walewska  handed  him  a  glass  Avith  a  potion.  Gorayski 
hardly  touched  it  with  his  lips,  and  pushed  it  aside. 

"  It  will  not  quench." 

"Does  the  wound  burn.''"  asked  Pani  Walewska  solicitously. 

"Yes,"  answered  the  captain,  with  an  effort,  and  then,  ani- 
mated by  a  thought,  he  asked  abruptly  :  "  Then  you  will  see 
Paul,  you  will  be  reconciled  to  him  .''     You  are  hesitating.  .  .  ." 

"  But  if  he  perseveres  .  .  ." 

"  No !  the  sooner  you  do  it,  the  shorter  you  will  make  his 
suffering.  Believe  me,  he  suffered  much  .  .  .  very  much.  Do 
you  promise  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"Very  well.  Press  my  hand.  Thank  you.  That  is  all  I 
wished  to  tell  you.     All.  .  .  . !  " 

Gorayski  dropped  his  head  on  the  pillows. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  with  painful  astonishment  at  the 
captain's  face,  vainly  searching  in  her  mind  for  some  word  of 
consolation.  After  a  while  she  said  hesitatingly :  "  Could  I  do 
anything  for  you  ?     I  should  be  so  glad." 

Gorayski  shook  his  head. 

"  No,  nothing  ;  I  do  not  need  anything.  Pray  forgive  me  for 
having  troubled  you.  I  would  not  have  dared,  if  not  for  that. 
.  .  .  Forgive  me  if  sometimes  by  look  or  word  .  .  .  but  some- 
times baseness  takes  hold  of  a  man.  I  remember  at  that  ball. 
...  I  was  a  scoundrel.  ...  I  v/as  mad.  ...  I  persecuted  you 
with  my  reproaches,  accusations,  suspicions.  ...  I  was  em- 
bittered by  my  wild  imagination.     Forget !     Forgive  me  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  nervous  movement.  Her  face  became 
pale. 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  387 

She  knelt  at  his  bedside,  put  her  hand  on  his  forehead, 
and  said :  "  Do  not  speak  in  that  way  to  me.  Do  not  wound 
me.  You  were  always  a  brother  to  me.  I  i*espected  you  ;  you 
had  my  friendship.  The  more  I  knew  your  magnanimity,  the 
more  I  regretted  that  I  had  crossed  your  road,  that  unwittingly 
I  was  the  cause  of  your  suffering,  that  I  disturbed  your 
peace.   .  .   ." 

The  captain  rose  Avith  an  effort,  his  eyes  shone  again. 

"  Mary,  is  a  star  to  be  blamed  if  it  attracts  by  its  lustre,  if 
it  makes  one  blind,  if  it  draws  the  soul  beyond  the  worlds  ?  " 

"  Your  sentiment,"  went  on  Pani  Walewska  in  a  trembling 
voice,  "weighed  on  me  like  a  stone.  I  prayed  the  Almighty  to 
take  it  from  you,  or  .  .  .  to  awake  in  me  an  answer.  Yes,  I  did 
pray.  The  thought  that  you  suffered  through  me,  that  for  long 
years  I  could  not  understand  your  intentions,  was  a  continual 
reproach  to  me.  Not  being  able  to  give  you  my  heart  I  wished 
to  increase  my  sisterly  affection.  Unfortunately,  I  only  per- 
suaded myself  that  I  made  your  suffering  keener.  Then  I  tried 
to  repulse  you  by  my  indifference ;  I  strove  to  make  you  have 
the  worst  opinion  of  me  possible.  Wilfully  I  ignored  your  good 
advice  ;  at  last  I  surrounded  myself  with  inaccessibility.  Do  you 
remember  when,  two  years  ago,  you  were  wounded  }  Do  you 
think  it  was  easy  for  me  to  put  on  the  mask  of  indifference  'i 
No;  I  was  afraid  to  arouse  in  you  a  hope — I  did  not  wish  to 
rekindle  your  already  dying  sentiment  for  me.  .  .  .  Therefore 
forgive  me !  ...  It  is  difficult  to  command  a  heart.  The 
enormity  of  the  wrong  done  you  crushes  me — it  frightens  me. 
Only  to-day  I  realised  how  much  you  suffer.  And  all  through 
me,  and  for  me." 

The  captain  made  a  deprecating  movement. 

"It  is  not  true,"  he  protested  in  a  hoarse  voice. 

"  Yes,"  continued  Pani  Walewska,  with  a  painful  emotion, 
"  the  curse  reached  even  those  whom  I  loved,  to  whom  I 
wished  well.     It  is  awful !  " 

"  And  I  tell  you  it  is  not  true  !  I — I  never  loved  you !  .  .  . 
Do  you  hear  me }  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  raised  her  head  and  looked  in  stupefaction  at 
Gorayski's  face,  that  shivei'ed  with  the  mortal  effort  of  life ;  it 
was  feverish,  it  quivered  with  pain. 


388  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"  You  did  not  love  me  ?  "  she  asked  with  astonishment. 

"  Never  !  "  cried  the  captain,  with  a  wrathful  outburst. 

Gorayski's  voice  vibrated  Mith  such  determination,  with  such 
strength,  with  such  mercilessness,  that  a  cold  shiver  ran  through 
Pani  Walewska  ;  the  whole  building  of  her  ideas  about  the 
captain  fell  in  ruins.  She  smiled  sadly,  dropped  her  eyes,  and 
began  to  search  in  the  depths  of  her  soul  for  an  explanation. 
Was  it  possible  that  she  had  misunderstood  him,  that  she  had 
made  such  a  mistake .''  The  Chamberlain's  wife  not  being  able 
to  find  answers  to  these  questions,  having  failed  to  understand 
such  a  change,  looked  at  Gorayski  as  if  she  wished  to  find  on  his 
face  the  solution  of  the  riddle.  But  hardly  did  she  raise  her 
silky  eyelashes,  hardly  did  she  glance  at  the  captain,  than  a  cry 
of  awe  came  out  of  her  mouth. 

Gorayski  was  lying  with  dropped  head,  with  half-closed  eyes ; 
brownish,  coagulated  blood  was  on  his  lips,  while  from  his  throat 
was  coming  a  hoarse  rattle. 

At  Pani  Walewska's  scream  the  surgeon,  followed  by 
Jerzmanowski  and  the  sergeant,  rushed  into  the  room.  The 
surgeon  bent  over  Gorayski  and  began  to  administer  salts  to 
him.  Jerzmanowski  went  to  Pani  Walewska,  helped  her  to  rise, 
and  conducted  her  to  another  room,  where  he  left  her  with  an 
officer  of  the  Light  Horse,  and  then  returned  to  Gorayski.  At 
that  moment  the  surgeon  put  aside  the  salts,  and  having  looked 
at  the  dying  man's  face,  put  his  hand  under  his  uniform. 

Jerzmanowski  frowned. 

"  What }     How  is  he  ?  " 

"  He  is  dying." 

Jerzmanowski  snorted  and  said  angrily — ■ 

"  Listen,  Girardot !  Sacre  hlev,  do  not  assume  the  countenance 
of  a  grave-digger  I  ...  he  is  breathing.  ..." 

The  surgeon  took  the  dying  man's  hand,  felt  his  pulse,  then 
said  quietly — 

"  He  is  dead  !  " 

"  Dead  !  "  repeated  Jerzmanowski  mournfully,  leaned  against 
the  wall,  and  looked  in  bewilderment  at  the  comrade  who  was 
growing  stiff. 

Girardot  sighed,  and  said  quietly  to  Jerzmanowski :  "  Captain, 
be  careful,  do  not  strain  yourself;  remember  your  own  wound." 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  389 

*' What  then  ?  "  muttered  the  officer  angrily. 

Girardot  shook  the  captain's  hand. 

"Better  go  away.  Poor  man,  he  could  not  live !  Consumption ! 
And  in  addition  to  that  they  pierced  his  feeble  chest." 

"You  think  .  .  ."  said  Jerzmanowski,  and  again  looked  at 
the  dead  comrade  without  finishing  his  phrase.  Girardot  dropped 
his  head. 

"  I  have  expected  it  for  a  long  time.  That  womid  received 
at  Wagram  was  not  mortal — grief  killed  him.  A  brave  soldier, 
a  good  comrade  !     Well,  I  must  report  to  the  general  staff." 

And  he  went  slowly  towards  the  door.  Here,  having  met  the 
sergeant,  he  whispered  something  to  him  and  went  out. 

Jerzmanowski  did  not  notice  Girardot's  absence, being  absorbed 
by  strange  thoughts  that  suddenly  rushed  into  his  head. 

"  He  is  dead  !  "  repeated  the  captain.  "  Well,  he  is  not  the 
first  and  not  the  last.  Many  others  were  taken  from  the  ranks. 
This  one  was  at  least  wounded  several  times,  while  some  were 
like  Dembiński,  who  fell  from  his  horse  during  a  march,  and  all 
was  over  with  him.  Not  everybody  dies  in  the  same  way, 
although  everyone  must  die.  Sacre  bleu  !  such  is  the  law.  The 
worst  is  to  die  slowly,  for  then  one  behaves  like  a  woman — one 
prattles ;  then  the  priest  .  .  .  tfuy !  ...  In  Rome  there  is  a 
crowd  of  saints  and  what  .  .  .  The  Legion  went  where  it  was 
to  go.  One  cannot  avoid  death.  .  .  .  What  a  pity  that  the 
Sniveller  is  dead!  But  it  is  not  unusual — provided  it  come  at 
once.  One  is  swept  away,  they  pity  you,  they  sigh  after  you,  they 
talk  about  you  at  the  camp  fires,  some  one  cries  for  you  at 
home  and  that  is  all.  Then  you  shine  with  your  captainship, 
you  cling,  you  shout  in  the  squadi'on,  and  you  think  that 
if  you  are  not  there  it  is  a  great  loss.  If  you  are  not  there, 
there  is  another !  Six  lieutenants  would  be  glad  to  exchange 
their  epaulettes.  Well,  he  was  a  good  comrade.  Pity,  sacre 
bleu !  .  .  ." 

Jerzmanowski  stopped  that  stream  of  thoughts,  for  he  noticed 
that  the  sergeant  was  feverishly  busy. 

At  first  Jerzmanowski  wanted  to  scold  him,  and  to  tell  him 
that  he  was  behaving  inproperly ;  but  having  understood  the 
soldier's  doings,  restrained  himself,  and  looked  at  him  atten- 
tively. 


390  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

The  sergeant  moved  swiftly  about.  He  took  off  the  blanket, 
arranged  the  bed  ;  then  he  put  on  Gorayski  the  purple  full-dress 
trousers  and  buttoned  them  under  the  uniform,  which  he 
smoothed ;  he  arranged  the  aiguillettes ;  then  he  slipped  the 
silver  cartridge-box  over  the  left  shoulder^  and  having  girded 
Gorayski  with  a  white  leather  belt,  he  twisted  twice  round  his 
body  a  white  and  purple  scarf  with  silver  tassels.  Here  he 
stopped,  looked  sharply  at  his  work,  and  worked  further. 

Jerzmanowski  smiled  with  satisfaction,  thinking — 

"What  a  dexterous  knave !  Such  an  old  wolf  of  the  regiment ! 
He  has  forgotten  nothing." 

He  bound  the  dead  man's  chin,  so  that  the  jaw  should  not 
hang,  closed  his  eyes,  and  put  two  coins  on  the  eyelids ;  the 
shako,  the  sword,  and  a  pair  of  pistols  he  put  at  the  foot  of  the 
bed,  and  the  white  mantle  he  stuck  in  so  adroitly  under  the 
body,  that  under  it  the  modest  bedding  disappeared.  Every- 
thing he  dusted,  cleaned,  polished.  He  had  not  forgotten  boots 
and  spurs.  He  even  found  a  comb  and  arranged  the  dead 
man's  hair  and  moustache. 

"  He  almost  has  it !  Grcmde  tenue,  on  the  cloak  !  Honestly, 
according  to  order  !  "  muttered  Jerzmanowski. 

But  as  it  seemed,  the  sergeant  was  not  of  the  captain's  opinion, 
for  he  lighted  a  candle,  he  went  to  a  cornei*,  arranged  his  uniform, 
put  on  the  shako,  girded  a  sword,  and  came  to  the  bed  with 
military  gait,  stretched  himself  erect,  and  raised  his  hand  to  the 
visor. 

The  sergeant's  grey  eyes  shone,  his  hand  slightly  shook,  his 
chest  heaved. 

"I  humbly  report  that  everything  is  according  to  order," 
sounded  in  the  quiet  the  sergeant's  quivering  voice. 

Something  seized  Jerzmanowski  by  the  throat. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  sergeant  made  a  half  movement,  and 
with  the  same  military  gait  he  went  to  the  corner,  Avhere  he 
took  off  his  shako,  ungirded  the  sword,  and  began  to  search  for 
something  m  a  box. 

Jerzmanowski  muttered — 

"The  rogue  knows  the  service,  and  he  has  everything  he 
needs ! " 

But  hardly  had  the  captain  come  to  himself  by  that  con- 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  391 

elusion,  and  thought  that  it  would  be  time  to  return  to  his 
squadron,  when  the  sergeant  came  out  from  the  shadows  and 
approached  the  body,  this  time  without  the  shako,  and  almost 
bent. 

Jerzmanowski  grew  impatient. 

"  What  more  has  he  found .''  " 

The  sergeant  did  not  pay  any  attention  to  the  captain's 
impatient  movements,  and  put  some  object  into  Gorayski's  hands. 
Then  he  knelt,  and  began  to  pray  in  a  muffled  voice. 

Jerzmanowski  bit  his  lips. 

"  Fanatic ! " 

"Lord,  give  him  eternal  rest !  "  said  the  sergeant. 

"Sexton  !  "  muttered  the  captain. 

"  Gi'ant  him  eternal  light  .   .  ." 

"  Tfuy  !  He  recollects,  sacre  bleu  !  .  .  .  He  had  better  join  the 
Capucin  monks!  I  do  not  want  such  a  soldier  in  my  squadron! 
Wasilewski !  "  he  called  to  the  sergeant. 

The  sergeant  crossed  himself  without  any  haste,  passed  his 
sleeve  over  his  face,  and  then,  having  noticed  the  captain,  he 
drew  himself  up  as  if  on  duty. 

"What,  you  old  booby  !  "  said  the  captain,  trying  to  be  severe. 

"All  according  to  order,  sir  !  " 

"H'm !  .  .  .  you,  sacre  bleu .'  .  .  .  A  .  .  .  what  have  put  into 
his  hands  ? " 

"I,  sir?" 

"Of  course,  it  is  not  I!  Well,  here,  here!"  grumbled  the 
captain. 

The  sergeant  stretched  his  hands  towards  the  dead  man,  took 
from  his  hands  a  small  object  and  handed  it  to  the  captain. 

"What  is  it?" 

"  Blessed  Virgin  of  Czenstochowa,  sir  !  " 

Jerzmanowski's  face  became  scarlet ;  he  looked  at  the  little 
picture  and  tugged  at  his  moustache. 

"  Well  .  .  .  and  .  .  .  saci'e  bleu  !  upon  my  word  I  could  not 
think.     H'm ! " 

The  captain  turned  from  the  sergeant  and  went  to  the  open 
window.  There,  from  beyond  undulating  hills,  the  sky  was 
growing  bi-ighter,  the  light  was  chasing  the  darkness  and 
quencliing  the  stars. 


392  NArOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

Jerzmanowski  looked  to  the  west,  a  big  tear  suspended  on  his 
eyelashes,  and  his  thoughts  embraced  his  childhood. 

And  there  rose  before  him  the  figure  of  his  father,  a  proud 
nobleman,  who  never  bent  before  anybody,  whose  severe  face 
had  never  shown  weakness  even  during  the  most  trying  moments 
of  his  life.  Only  when  from  the  blue  space  there  came  the 
sounds  of  a  church  bell,  then  in  such  moments  that  stalwart  man 
would  bend  before  an  image  of  the  blessed  Virgin  of  Czen- 
stochowa. 

Jerzmanowski  sighed,  turned  to  the  sergeant  suddenly,  and 
said  hesitatingly :  "  Listen,  old  man.   .  .  ." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"When  I  .  .  .  Well,  then  ..." 

The  sergeant  looked  at  the  captain. 

"  You  understand,  well  ...  a  beastly  cannon-ball  .  .  .  then 
you  also  .  .  .  me  too.  .  .  .  For  although  it  helps  the  dead  man 
no  better  than  incense  .  .  .  one  must  have  the  Virgin  of 
Czenstochowa,  sacre  bleu!" 

That  day  Napoleon  got  up  earlier  than  usual,  so  that  Constant 
was  hardly  ready  to  dress  his  master,  and  Corvisart,  instead  of 
finding  the  Emperor  being  shaved,  as  usual,  found  him  already 
dressed  and  asking  for  Meneval. 

Corvisart,  with  the  ability  of  an  old  courtier,  guessed  the 
Emperor's  bad  humour,  and  withdrew  discreetly.  The  Emperor 
did  not  say  a  word  to  him,  entered  his  study  and  sat  at  his  desk, 
covered  with  papei's. 

All  the  inhabitants  of  Schoenbrunn  Castle  trembled.  There 
was  a  dead  silence  in  ante-chambers,  in  service  rooms,  and  even 
in  the  apartments  occupied  by  ministers  and  marshals ;  the 
aides-de-camps'  faces  were  long ;  the  officers  of  the  staff  and 
employes  gloomy ;  the  generals  waiting  for  an  audience ;  the 
officers  who  had  come  with  reports  looked  at  each  other 
hesitatingly. 

Napoleon  was  working  with  the  energy  that  crushed  Mene- 
val ;  that  made  changes  in  the  army  and  administration ;  that 
reached  the  boundaries  of  Europe  and  surprised  the  world. 
The  papers  quivered  in  Napoleon's  hands.  His  pen  threw  on 
them    short   decisions;   the   couriers    rushed   in   and   out   with 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  393 

voluminous  letters.  The  employes  of  the  Emperor's  bureau 
worked  faster  than  ever,  for  the  thunderbolt  was  threatening  to 
strike  anybody  among  them. 

After  two  hours'  work  the  Emperor  rose  and  paced  the  room. 
Meneval  lifted  his  head  slightly  and  looked  at  his  master. 

The  Emperor  caught  his  secretary's  look. 

"  Is  there  anybody  waiting  ?  " 

"Herr  von  Bubna^  the  Emperor  Francis's  aide-de-camp." 

"  What  does  he  want }  I  told  him  yesterday !  They  wish 
for  more  war ;  they  shall  have  it !  " 

"  He  has  brought  new  propositions." 

*' Afternoon !     I  have  no  time  !     Any  news  from  Saronne  ? " 

"Nothing.  .  .  .  The  Pope  holds  on!    Prince  Rovigo  writes  ..." 

"  That  he  has  made  a  new  blunder  !  " 

"He  has  intercepted  some  correspondence  from  Rome." 

"  He  wishes  to  prevent  the  Pope  from  communicating  with 
his  clergy  !  It  is  an  extreme  measure — unnecessary.  Write  to 
him  at  once  !  " 

Meneval  bent  over  a  sheet  of  paper,  and  executed  the  order. 
Napoleon  went  to  a  side  table  loaded  with  correspondence,  and 
began  to  open  the  letters  and  read  them. 

Evidently  there  was  nothing  of  importance  in  them,  for 
Napoleon  glanced  at  them  more  and  more  rapidly.  Suddenly 
from  between  two  large  envelopes  slipped  a  small  one.  The 
Emperor  opened  it  and  began  to  read  a  long  letter. 

He  became  gloomy. 

"  Where  is  this  from  ? " 

Meneval  rushed  from  behind  the  table. 

"  This  letter  .^  I  do  not  know.  Sire  !  I  will  find  out  imme- 
diately. ..." 

"  You  do  not  know  !  None  of  you  know  what  is  going  on 
around  you  !  "  the  Emperor  scolded,  finishing  the  letter. 

Meneval  stood  like  a  block  of  stone. 

In  the  meanwhile.  Napoleon  read  the  letter  again,  and  when 
he  had  finished  his  face  was  blue.     Meneval  grew  pale. 

"Call  Duroc,"  cried  Bonaparte. 

Mcneval  rushed  out.  Napoleon  read  the  letter  a  third  time, 
as  if  not  wishing  to  believe  his  own  eyes.  The  Marshal  of  the 
Court  appeai-ed  in  the  doorway. 


394  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

''You  called  me^  Sire?"  he  said  quietly. 

Napoleon  threw  the  letter  on  the  table,  and  said  passionately: 
"  Read  this !  I  am  sure  there  is  more  truth  in  it  than  you 
would  suppose  !     Well,  read  it !  " 

Duroc  took  the  letter  quietly,  and  read  it. 

The  Emperor  strode  to  and  fro,  speaking  angrily. 

"What.''  A  lovely  letter!  Rejoice  at  it!  It  needed  an 
anonymous  letter  to  discover  that !  If  it  were  not  for  that 
scoundrel  or  intriguer,  she  might  laugh  at  me  to  my  l;ice  !  And 
you  do  not  know  anything  about  it !  You  did  not  expect  that. 
Mme.  Walewska  !  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  I  A  woman  like  the  others. 
No  better  than  the  others  !     You  are  surprised,  eh .'' " 

Dui'oc  stood  quietly  under  the  fire  of  the  Emperor's  ironical 
looks. 

"Not  at  all,  Sire,"  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court  answered 
simply.     "  I  have  a  report  with  me  about  the  matter." 

"  Ah  !  A  report,  which  arrives  after  the  anonymous  de- 
nunciation." 

"  Only  for  this  reason,  that  it  contains  the  truth ;  and  that 
truth  does  not  tarnish  Mme.  Walewska's  honour  in  the  slightest 
way.     His  Majesty  will  be  kind  enough  to  read.   .  .  ." 

The  Emperor  seized  the  paper  from  Duroc's  hands. 

"  Report !  Ah  !  She  went  out.  Yes,  to  Lanzensdorf !  The 
anonymous  letter  says  the  same,  word  for  word." 

"  But  it  says  that  there  was  a  rendezvous,"  rejoined  Duroc. 

The  Emperor  did  not  answer  that  remark,  and  read  the 
report  attentively. 

"H'm!  A  fine  conclusion;  if  they  did  not  deceive  each 
other !  A  dying  playmate  of  her  childhood !  .  .  .  the  last 
adieu  !     Comedy  !     Order  an  investigation  !  " 

"  It  is  done  !  Here  is  the  report  of  the  Colonel  of  the  Light 
Horse  of  the  Guard  about  the  captain's  death." 

"  He  died  }  " 

"  This  morning,  Sire.  He  was  recommended  for  the  cross  and 
promotion.  ..." 

"Gorayski!  I  do  not  remember  that  name.  H'm  !  But  it 
must  be  as  you  say.   ..." 

The  Emperor  walked  across  the  room  again  as  if  pondering 
over  something.     Then  he  stopped  before  Duroc. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  395 

"  You  are  right.  Never  she !  All  of  them,  but  not  she ! 
What  a  villainous  calumny  !  Yes,  the  more  I  think,  the  more  I 
wonder  at  myself  for  being  carried  away  by  a  suspicion. 
Duroc,  no  other  woman  was  ever  as  dear  to  me  as  she !  Never ! 
She  alone  .  .  . ! " 

"  Yes,  it  is  so.  Sire." 

''Wait,  I  must  reward  her  for  that  .  .  .  yes,  I  must !  She 
does  not  know  that  I  doubted,  but  I  know  and  that  suffices. 
Duroc,  think  it  over  !     We  must  ..." 

"Sire,  the  task  oversteps  my  ability,  for  until  now,  as  your 
Majesty  knows,  Mme.  Walewska  has  not  accepted  any  presents, 
and  I  do  not  know  if  she  would  change  her  mind." 

The  Emperor  became  sincerely  sorrowful,  and  continued  in  a 
confidential  tone :  "  Yes,  and  that  sometimes  makes  me  angry. 
I  should  like  to  do  something,  but  in  vain.  What  extraordmary 
disinterestedness  !  I  had  good  intentions  towards  her  brother, 
but  you  know  how  unfortunately  it  ended  with  him.  On  the 
other  hand,  she  continues  to  have  confidence  in  me.  You  know 
what  I  am  thinking  about.  She  has  such  confidence  that 
sometimes  I  shiver.  Perhaps  I  pushed  my  promise  too  far. 
Well,  she  deserves  to  have  the  whole  world  laid  at  her  feet. 
Unfortunately  I  must  count  with  events.  You  know  very  well 
how  much  I  would  like  to  take  Galicia  from  Austria  and  join  it 
to  the  Principality  of  Warsaw !  But  who  knows  if  it  would 
be  diplomatic  ?  In  a  word,  nothing  for  her !  Nothing  what- 
ever ! " 

"  According  to  my  opinion.  Sire,  if  your  Majesty's  sentiment 
has  not  cooled  ..." 

"  I  should  then  be  the  foe  of  my  own  happiness." 

"Then,  your  Majesty  could  be  certain  that  she  would  appre- 
ciate your  goodwill  ...  a  loving  woman  ..." 

"  You  are  right.     Wait,  what  time  is  it  .'^ " 

"Ten  o'clock.  Sire." 

"  I  cannot  now  ;  but  in  the  afternoon.  You  will  go  with  me. 
She  likes  you  very  much — she  always  speaks  well  of  you." 

"  Sire ! " 

"  That  bore,  von  Bubna,  is  waiting  for  me  !  Come  to  lunch, 
and  Ave  will  dine  with  her.  Send  me  that  tiresome  von  Bubna ! 
I  wonder  v/hat  new  political  combination  he  has  brought .'' " 


396  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Duroc  bowed  and  retreated  towards  the  door.  The  Emperor 
recollected  somethmg  suddenly. 

"  Permit  me  .  .  .  one  moment !  Ah  !  Have  j^ou  taken  that 
anonymous  letter  ?  " 

"  I  wish  to  burn  it  together  with  the  report !  " 

"H'm!"  said  the  Emperor,  after  a  movement  of  hesitation, 
"you  must  keep  them  .  .  .  they  may  be  useful!" 

"  These  .  .  .  these  .  .  .  scraps  ?  " 

"  Well,  yes  ;  can  you  not  think  ?  I  have  nothing  to  hide  from 
you.  In  case  a  favourable  answer  comes  from  St.  Petersburg,  I 
must  take  steps  for  divorce  at  once  ;  and  much  more,  I  must  not 
permit  the  spreading  of  news  about  my  private  relations.  The 
Grand  Duchess  is,  as  it  seems,  a  little  sentimental.  She  may 
dislike  it,  that  I  do  not  regulate  my  affairs  of  that  kind.  There- 
fore it  will  be  necessary  to  send  Mme.  Walewska  away.  I 
should  like  to  avoid  all  explanations.  One  must  give  her  some 
pretext  for  the  rupture  .  .  .  although  it  will  not  be  a  rupture. 
And  these  papers  will  furnish  good  material  for  a  diversion, 
and  afterwards  for  a  reconciliation." 

Duroc  looked  at  the  Emperor  in  astonishment.  Napoleon 
made  an  impatient  movement. 

"You  do  not  like  that.''  You  may  think  it  is  a  barbarous 
way,  but  it  is  better  than  explanations  and  scenes.  I  do  not 
wish  to  see  her  tears,  I  cannot  stand  them." 

"  But  they  will  only  be  more  abundant.  Sire.  The  conscious- 
ness of  unjust  suspicion  will  make  her  grieve.  ..." 

"  But,  then,  she  will  think  that  the  disgrace  was  in  con- 
sequence of  an  intrigue." 

"  She  cannot  be  prevented  from  hearing  about  the  wedding." 

"  As  about  a  political  step.  She  is  prepared  for  it  partly,  but 
should  she  be  obliged  to  leave  here  suddenly  ...  I  should 
have  plenty  of  reproaches  and  tears.     Do  as  I  said  ! " 

"  You  command.  Sire  !  " 

"  Well,  well,  do  not  be  sour.  It  could  not  be  helped ;  some- 
times with  one's  nearest  one  can  do  nothing  without  a  subter- 
fuge. Yes,  keep  the  report  and  the  letter,  and  in  the  meanwhile 
send  me  von  Bubna  and  Meneval." 

The  Emperor  smiled,  and  the  whole  of  Schoenbrunn,  gloomy 
and  silent  till  then,  was  filled  with  joy;  joy  was  depicted  in 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  397 

the  courtiers'  eyes  ;  joy  animated  the  martial  faces  of  generals, 
aides-de-camp,  and  officers  of  the  staff. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  sun  was  hidden  under  a  cloud ;  the 
castle,  park,  guard-houses^  bright  uniforms  of  the  Guards,  the 
amaranth  facmgs  of  the  Light  Horse,  and  the  turbans  of 
the  Mamelukes  were  covered  with  a  grey  shadow. 

But  Schoenbrunn  did  not  care  for  the  gloomy  sky  if  Roustan, 
standing  at  the  door  of  the  Emperor's  study,  smiled,  showing 
his  white  teeth.     There  was  the  sun  of  Schoenbrunn, 


CHAPTER   XVII 

PAN  ANASTAZY  WALEWSKI  looked  into  a  mirror,  moved 
his  toothless  jaws  impatiently,  and  scolded  Baptiste,  who 
stood  behind  him. 

"  I  said  it  is  bad  !     The  bow  is  crooked." 

"It  can't  be  otherwise  !  "  muttered  the  valet  angrily. 

"  It  must  be — do  you  hear  !  I  wish  it — I  command  !  "  shrieked 
the  Chamberlain.  "Change  my  necktie!  Grey  SAvallow-tail 
coat !     The  riband  is  not  right !  " 

"  Because  you  stoop,  my  lord." 

"  I  stoop  ?  Then  support  me  !  You  do  not  take  any  care  of 
me  !     Where  is  my  snuff-box  }  " 

"In  the  pocket  of  the  coat." 

"  H'm !  .  .  .  how  he  ansvv'ers !  You  do  not  like  my  being 
di'essed !  Y'ou  wish  me  to  wear  all  day  long  my  dressing-gown 
and  slippers ! " 

"  Certainly,  sir,  for  it  tires  you  to  dress." 

"What  a  solicitude  !  " 

"  There  is  not  a  soul,  and  you  dress  every  morning  as  if  for  a 
Court  reception." 

The  Chamberlam  looked  threateningly  with  his  glassy  eyes 
at  the  servant. 

"  Listen,  if  you  grow  old,  and  have  not  yet  any  common 
sense,  then  be  silent !  " 

Baptiste  shrugged  his  shoulders  triflingly.  The  Chamberlain 
snorted,  leaned  on  his  walking-stick  that  was  handed  to  him, 
and,  having  come  to  a  big  mirror,  began  to  look  at  himself. 

The  inspection  was  a  long  one,  full  of  impatient  movements 
and  deep  sighing. 

Well,  four  long  years  had  passed  since  the  Chamberlain  had 
put  on  his  gala  dress,  being  satisfied  even  on  the  most  solemn 

^98 


i 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  399 

days  with  the  amplest,  warmest,  and  the  most  comfortable 
coats.  And  then,  after  those  four  years,  he  had  noticed  that 
he  was  different,  that  he  was  less  elegant.  He  could  neither 
assume  that  lordly  mien  of  which  he  had  been  proud,  nor  could 
he  smile  in  a  courtly  manner,  nor  move  with  a  stride  and  with- 
out a  walking-stick  !  If  he  could  only  conquer  that  rattling  of 
the  jaws ! 

The  Chamberlain  sighed  heavily,  and  became  sad. 

Only  yesterday  he  thought  that  Baptiste's  experience  would 
suffice  to  make  him  young  again,  and  to  give  a  lesson  to  any 
youngster  how  to  bend,  walk,  bow,  how  to  wear  the  riband,  and 
to  remind  the  world  what  elegant  people  surrounded  the  late 
king. 

To-day,  however,  although  he  wore  a  new  wig,  although 
Baptiste  did  not  spare  powder  and  paint,  although  he  buttoned 
him  up  tightly,  it  was  not  the  same  as  four  years  ago,  when  he 
was  complimented  at  the  Emperor's  receptions. 

But  perhaps  it  was  Baptiste's  fault ;  perhaps  he  had  neglected 
his  art. 

That  thought  made  the  Chamberlain  turn  and  look  more 
attentively  at  his  valet.  The  Chamberlain's  look  rested  sud- 
denly on  Baptiste's  head. 

"Well!"  muttered  the  Chamberlain  with  astonishment. 
"  But  you  have  groAvn  old  !  .  .  ." 

Baptiste  smiled. 

"A  long  time  ago,  sir." 

"  I  did  not  notice.     How  old  are  you .'' " 

"Fifty-two,  my  lord." 

"  Phi !  Fifty  -  two  !  You  are  older  than  Pan  Ksawery  ! 
H'm !  and  I  am  .  .  ." 

"Eighty  .  .  ." 

"It  is  none  of  your  business  how  old  I  am!"  the  Chamber- 
lain interrupted  energetically.  "  You  have  grown  old !  .  .  . 
Ho  !  .  .  .  ho  !     You  have  grown  old  !  " 

"We  all  grow  old," 

The  Chamberlain  snorted  angrily. 

"  All !  Phi !  phi !  Not  every  one  in  the  same  way.  Well,  to 
be  sure !  I  am  not  younger,  either !  But  you  .  .  .  you  .  .  . 
have  become  old  !     I  tell  you  you  are  grey !  " 


400  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Baptiste  did  not  answer.  As  for  the  Chamberlain^  he  took 
his  snufF-box,  opened  it  with  a  noise^  took  a  good  pinch^  then 
snapped  his  fingers,  and  concluded  with  contentment — 

"  You  have  groAvn  awfully  old  !  " 

"Shall  I  call  the  lackey,  sir?" 

"What  for?" 

"  I  thought  your  lordship  would  go  to  the  park." 

"But  I  do  not  need  any  assistance!  Give  me  my  hat,  and 
conduct  me  downstairs." 

The  valet  drew  nearer.  The  Chamberlain  glanced  once  more 
into  the  mirror,  and  said  impatiently — 

"  Wait !  I  have  not  the  Legion  !     Where  is  the  Legion  ?  " 

"  The  Legion  of  Honour  !  " 

"  Why  are  you  staring  at  me  ?  I  am  asking  you  where  is  my 
Legion  of  Honour  ?  " 

"  In  a  box  ;  but  my  lord  .  .  ," 

"  Give  it  to  me  !     Be  quick,  I  have  no  time  !  " 

Baptiste  did  as  he  was  ordered. 

"The  riband  is  crumpled,  even  torn  a  little  .  .  ."  said  the 
valet. 

"  It  is  your  fault !     You  do  not  take  care  of  it.   .  .  ." 

"  Because  yourself,  my  lord  .   .  ." 

"Do  not  excuse  yourself!  Put  it  under  the  coat.  On  the 
White  Eagle  ! " 

"H'm!  .  .  ,  very  well.  But  perhaps  it  would  be  proper  to 
put  on  the  Court  dress  ?  " 

The  valet  was  frightened  at  the  thought  that  his  master 
would  order  him  to  dress  him  again. 

"  Court  dress  to-day  ?     Here  in  Walewice  ? " 

The  Chamberlain  moved  his  head  with  commiseration. 

"  You  have  grown  old,  and  you  do  not  remember  the  simplest 
etiquette." 

"Well,  here  .  .  ." 

"You  are  stupid,"  whispered  the  Chamberlain  with  a 
mysterious  smile.  "  It  is  lovely  weather.  Understand  !  H'm  ! 
,  .  .  therefore  I  may  meet  some  one  in  the  park,  and  then  it 
is  proper  for  a  host  to  do  the  honours.  It  is  my  duty  to  hope 
that  His  Imperial  Highness  would  like  to  breathe  the  fresh 
air  .  .  ." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  401 

"  His  Imperial  Highness ! "  Baptiste  repeated  with  astonish- 
ment. 

The  Chamberlain  rapped  angrily  with  his  stick. 

"  Enough  of  it !  You  are  stupid  !  You  have  no  idea  !  Call 
me  a  lackey  !  Quickly  !  He  will  conduct  me.  I  do  not  need 
your  help.     You  have  become  grey,  and  have  grown  stupid  !  " 

The  valet  set  his  teeth  and  called  a  lackey.  When  the  latter 
entered  the  Chamberlain  nodded  to  him  to  come  nearer, 
leaned  on  his  shoulder,  and  went  tov/ards  the  door  leading 
to  the  park. 

"Conduct  me  behind  the  castle,  where  the  statues  are," 
ordered  the  Chamberlain. 

The  lackey  took  the  direction  he  was  told. 

When  the  fresh  air  touched  the  Chamberlain  and  the  sun 
began  to  warm  him,  he  grew  joyful. 

"  Phi !     The  hawthorn  is  blooming  already ! " 

"  Yes,  my  lord  !  " 

"  And  the  lilacs  also  !  " 

"Summer  is  early  this  year,  my  lord." 

"  Yes,  yes !  Wait !  I  cannot  see.  Is  John  over  there,  under 
the  linden-trees  }  " 

"  He  is,  my  lord." 

"  Then  conduct  me  to  him,"  said  the  Chamberlain,  trying  to 
make  long  steps,  but  in  the  meanwhile  leaning  more  heavily  on 
the  lackey's  arm. 

The  lackey  brought  his  master  to  a  bench  on  which  the  old 
gamekeeper,  John,  was  leaning  under  some  aged  linden-trees. 

The  Chamberlain  nodded  to  old  John,  who  took  off  his  cap 
respectfully,  sat  on  the  bench  and  breathed. 

"  Stand  there,"  he  ordered  the  lackey,  and  when  the  latter 
retreated  several  steps  respectfully,  the  Chamberlain  turned  to 
John  and  asked  :  "  Well,  how  goes  it  }  " 

"Everything  right,  my  lord.  He  will  soon  be  here.  They 
were  dressing  him." 

"Then  you  say  he  will  come  out  to-day? " 

"  He  may  be  here  at  any  moment.  .  .  .  Andrew's  wife  was 
dressed  as  if  for  church." 

The  Chamberlain  cleared  his  throat  and  rapped  on  his  snuff- 
box. 

2    D 


402  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

"Have  you  swept  the  alleys  of  the  park  ? " 

"  Yes^  my  lord^  there  is  not  one  large  pebble  underfoot ! " 

"  If  she  is  only  careful,  and  does  not  stumble." 

John  laughed. 

"  Andrew's  wife  }  Where  she  puts  her  feet  there  are  marks 
as  if  some  one  had  driven  posts  into  the  ground.  .  .  ." 

"  So ! "  wondered  the  Chamberlain,  taking  a  sincere  interest 
in  what  John  was  telling  him.  "  Andrew's  wife  !  I  did  not 
imagine  !     Where  does  she  come  from .'' " 

"  From  Bielaw ;  she  is  my  first  cousin." 

"  H'm  !  h'm  !  I  did  not  expect.  How  did  you  say  ?  As  if 
posts  were  driven.  We  cannot  do  it  any  more.  But  I  must  tell 
you  that  Baptiste  has  grown  old.  Then  Andrew's  wife.  H'm  ! 
Tell  Andrew  to  come  .  .  .  perhaps  a  span  of  horses.  .  .  . .'' " 

"It  will  help  them,  my  lord  ;  they  are  not  very  rich." 

"Well,  a  few  cows.  H'm!  it  is  so.  And  .  .  .  how  are  the 
others  ?  .  .  ." 

"The  others,  my  lord.''"  answered  the  old  servant  question- 
ingly,  not  knowing  what  to  answer. 

"  Yes,  the  others  !"  said  the  Chamberlain  hesitatingly,  looking 
at  his  snuff-box.  "  Well,  apparently  nothing  .  .  .  the  one  who 
was  ill  is  well  now.  .  .  ." 

"  Everything  is  right,  my  lord  ;  her  ladyship  looks  like  a  rose, 
and  all  fear  is  over." 

The  Chamberlain  looked  closer  at  his  snuff-box. 

"  If  I  do  not  say  it  in  a  bad  hour,  she  is  health  itself  now. 
Last  night  she  went  beyond  the  park,  across  the  field  to  the 
birch  grove ;  I  could  hardly  keep  up  with  her." 

"  In  the  evening,  cold  lies  in  wait  in  the  dew." 

"  If  one  is  in  good  health  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  made  an  impatient  movement. 

"  I  said  it  lies  in  wait ;  cold,  pain.     In  the  dew.  .  .  ." 

John  v»'as  abashed  at  such  a  passionate  outburst ;  in  the  mean- 
while the  Chamberlain  further  enlarged  upon  ailments  lurking 
in  the  dusk.  The  reasoning  was  so  long  that  it  tired  the  Cham- 
berlain himself  and  made  him  sleepy. 

"  My  lord,  they  are  coming  !  "  John  said  suddenly. 

The  Chamberlain  shivered,  and  seized  a  walking-stick. 

"  Where }     Who  }  " 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  403 

"Andrew's  wife  with  the  chambermaidj  and  .  .  ." 

"  His  Imperial  Highness,"  finished  the  Chamberlain  feverishly. 

John  raised  his  bushy  eyebrows,  but  having  understood, 
affirmed  enthusiastically  :  "  Yes,  my  lord ;  Andrew's  wife  is 
carrying  our  Imperial  Highness." 

The  Chamberlain  began  to  move  hastily. 

"  John,  give  me  your  arm,  or  no,  you,"  said  he  to  the  lackey. 
"  Come  here,  help  me  !  John,  wait !  We  will  go  round  and  meet 
them  as  if  by  chance  ...  at  the  turning  of  the  alley.  Let  us 
be  going.  Look  if  the  riband  of  the  Legion  of  Honour  is  all 
right !     Take  hold  of  my  left  arm  !  " 

The  Chamberlain,  propped  up  on  both  sides,  went  on  striding 
into  the  alley  that  turned  in  the  direction  taken  by  the  cham- 
bermaid and  the  nurse  with  the  infant  in  her  arms.  The 
manoeuvre  was  well  calculated,  for  after  a  few  steps  the  women 
were  opposite  the  Chamberlain.  The  distance  diminished 
rapidly. 

The  Chamberlain  glanced  forward,  stopped  suddenly,  wiped 
the  perspiration  from  his  forehead,  fixed  his  head,  and  whispered 
something  to  John. 

''  Introduce  me." 

"  Introduce .'' " 

"Introduce  me  to  his  Imperial  Highness,  you  blockhead, 
introduce  me  pleno  iitulo  !  " 

John  became  scarlet,  advanced  toM^ards  the  nurse,  took  off  his 
cap,  and,  looking  fiercely  at  the  infant's  tiny  face  coming  out 
from  the  white  cap,  shouted  solemnly :  "  His  lordship  Anastazy 
Colonna  Walewski,  Chamberlain  of  the  Court  of  his  Majesty  the 
King,  Chevalier  of  the  Orders  of  the  White  Eagle  and  the  Legion 
of  Honour ! " 

The  nurse  and  the  maid  became  abashed. 

As  for  the  Chamberlain,  he  came  nearer  to  the  child  and 
bowed  with  his  hat. 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged  for  the  honour.  I  have  long  wished 
for  that  favour.     The  privilege  your  Imperial  .  -    ." 

Here  the  Chamberlain  stopped  suddenly,  frightened  at  the 
infant's  screaming ;  the  nurse  tried  to  tranquillise  it. 

The  Chamberlain  bowed  awkwardly  and  withdrew. 

"Such  a  tiny  creature,  my  lord,"  said  John,  noticing  the 


404  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

Chamberlain's  emotion.  "  It  does  not  know  it  lives  ;  how  could 
it  understand?  .  .  ." 

The  Chamberlain  ground  his  teeth  and  looked  crushingly  at 
the  old  servant. 

"  You  do  not  understand.  Apparently  you  have  seen  many 
thingS;  but  you  have  not  learned  anything.  Understand  !  Why 
should  he  understand  }  Respect  to  the  imperial  blood  must  be 
shown.  And  it  seems  to  you  that  one  should  act  as  .  .  .  as  .  .  . 
with  any  little  shrimp !  Perhaps  it  seems  so  to  all  of  you  ? 
Wait !  I  shall  show  you  .  .  .  respect !  Bow  at  five  steps. 
Retreat !  I  shall  give  you  lessons  !  To  the  four  winds  !  Stupid  ! 
Baptiste  has  grown  old^  become  grey  and  stupid,  and  you 
too.  .  .  Suppose  some  one  hears .''  Horrendum !  Crimen  lessee 
majestatis  !  " 

Here  the  Chamberlain  Aviped  the  perspiration,  and  having 
made  an  energetic  movement  with  his  stick,  seized  the  lackey's 
arm  and  turned  to  the  castle. 

This  incident  impressed  John  and  disturbed  the  women,  who 
had  received  the  strictest  orders  to  choose  the  solitary  alleys  in 
the  park  and  to  avoid  any  meeting  with  inhabitants  of  the 
castle.  But  as  it  seems  this  incident  made  the  greatest  impres- 
sion on  a  witness,  hidden  behind  the  hangings  of  a  window  on 
the  first  floor  of  the  castle. 

That  witness  was  Pani  Walewska,  who  having  told  the 
women  which  alley  they  should  follow  with  her  son  so  that  she 
might  see  him  from  her  window,  and  having  purposely  chosen 
an  early  hour  so  as  not  to  disturb  her  ex-husband's  afternoon 
walk,  had  experienced  an  unexpected  shock.  That  shock  was 
like  a  thunderbolt,  upsetting  all  her  ideas  about  her  former 
husband,  about  his  behaviour,  about  the  present  situation,  about 
his  egotism  and  childishness. 

Pani  Walewska  had  lived  here  since  the  previous  autumn,  a 
not  over-pleasant  life.  At  Schoenbrunn,  where  she  had  lived 
in  quiet  happiness  during  a  mild  October,  near  the  Emperor, 
whom  she  worshipped,  where,  in  the  modest  house,  she  was 
hiding  her  longings  and  sorrows  and  the  apprehensions  of 
coming  maternity,  the  order  of  the  Marshal  of  the  Court  had 
fallen  on  her. 

She  could  hardly  believe.     But  it  was  so.     It  was  a  laconic^ 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  405 

stiff,  merciless,  precise  order,  not  leaving  any  doubt  that  they 
had  a  right  to  command  even  her.  Together  with  the  order  a 
scandalous  gossip  reached  her,  uniting  her  name  with  Gorayski's 
in  a  knot  of  base  intrigue. 

At  the  first  outburst  of  the  wrong  the  Chamberlain's  wife 
went  to  the  Emperor's  headquarters  in  Schoenbrunn  Castle,  but 
they  did  not  allow  her  to  see  the  Emperor,  and  pressed  her  to 
obey  the  command.  And  that  command  was  doubly  merciless, 
painful,  humiliating.  Not  only  did  it  separate  her  from  the 
Emperor,  not  only  did  it  chase .  her  away,  not  only  did  it  pierce 
her  heart,  but  it  also  crushed  her  dignity,  her  pride,  for  it 
required  her  immediately  to  go  to  Walewice,  and  to  be  under 
the  roof  of  her  divorced  husband. 

In  vain  Pani  Walewska  resisted,  in  vain  she  Avished  to  avoid 
at  least  that  humiliation  .  .  .  they  sympathised  with  her,  they 
showed  her  hearty  commiseration,  they  promised  to  speak  in 
her  favour,  but  in  the  meanwhile  they  told  her  distinctly  that 
the  command  must  be  executed  before  all.  And  notwithstand- 
ing the  strain  of  her  will,  protests,  desperate  threats.  Pani 
Walewska  found  herself  under  her  ex-husband's  roof  in  Wale- 
wice. 

Here,  her  former  apartments  were  given  to  her.  They  sur- 
rounded her  with  the  care  of  servants  unknown  to  her,  and 
tried  to  persuade  her  that  although  the  Emperor  was  very 
much  afflicted,  he  cared  immensely  about  the  Chamberlain's 
ex-wife's  health,  and  would  not  forget  her.  .  .    . 

Pani  Walewska  was  so  crushed,  so  frightened  and  so  disen- 
chanted, that  she  became  apathetic. 

Months  passed  away.  Pani  Walewska  did  not  even  try  to 
think  about  the  future,  about  to-morrow.  A  crushing  thought, 
obstinately  the  same,  tore  her  mind,  rent  her  heart.  And  that 
thought  was  about  the  fact  that  she  had  allowed  herself  to  be 
carried  away  by  passion,  that  she  had  not  had  strength  to  resist 
persuasions,  that  she  had  broken  the  most  sacred  oath,  that  she 
had  brought  shame  upon  her  husband,  under  whose  roof  she 
now  found  a  shelter,  while  there  they  had  chased  her  away 
brutally,  they  had  calumniated  her,  they  had  repudiated  her. 

Months  passed  away — awfully  long,  monotonous,  like  her 
grief  that  could  not  be  quenched. 


406  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  leave  her  apartments  even  for  one 
moment,  neither  did  she  listen  to  Princess  Jablonowska's 
reasoning,  or  heed  her  chambermaid's  whispers,  telling  her  that 
Duroc  had  sent  a  special  courier  asking  after  Pani  Walewska's 
health,  and  hinting  adroitly  that  the  inquiry  was  not  made  by 
Duroc  alone.  What  did  she  care  about  that  kindness,  about 
proofs  that  she  was  not  forgotten,  while  below  her  apartment 
there  lived  an  infirm  old  man,  crixshed  perhaps  by  her  levity, 
despising  the  unfaithful  ex-wife,  sneering  that  that  great  hero, 
that  lord  of  kingdoms,  who  was  so  powerful  and  had  riches  at 
his  disposal,  did  not  give  her  even  a  piece  of  bread,  a  roof  under 
which  she  could  hide  her  sad  lot  without  being  obliged  for  any- 
thing to  her  divorced  husband. 

Months  passed  away,  till  from  that  apathy,  from  that  stupor, 
Pani  Walewska  was  waked  up  by  the  crying  of  a  child,  a  son, 
who  having  come  into  the  world  with  May,  filled  her  heart  with 
new  warmth,  with  new  life.  And  Pani  Walewska's  soul  was 
melted ;  she  cared  for  the  child  alone,  she  rejoiced  by  it,  she 
was  happy  through  it. 

It  is  true  that  new  apprehensions  and  cares  swarmed  in  her 
head,  but  although  they  tormented  her,  they  did  not  make  her 
apathetic  any  more  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  gave  her  strength  for 
a  struggle,  and  she  determined  to  conquer  impediments  and 
difficulties. 

Pani  Walewska  was  soon  well,  and  she  doubled  her  cares 
about  her  situation.  Apparently  it  was  not  changed — for  as 
formerly  she  had  led  a  solitary  life — but  in  the  meanwhile  the 
servants  surrounding  her  became  more  and  more  respectful  and 
humble. 

Pani  Walewska  endeavoured  to  use  her  ascendency  to  learn 
some  details  concerning  herself,  but  those  details  were  scarce^ 
for  the  servants  were  passive  tools  in  some  one's  hands. 

The  French  housekeeper  could  only  tell  her  that  the  Marshal 
of  the  Court  was  sending  couriers  every  day,  and  that  the  day  the 
child  was  born  five  ordinances  were  sent  into  the  world  with  the 
news ;  further,  that  the  Marshal  announced  a  change  as  soon 
impending,  but  that  she  did  not  wish  for  it,  for  she  waS 
attached  to  Pani  Walewska  with  her  whole  heart.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  Polish  servants,  especially  old  John,  had  also  a 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  407 

little  newSj  and  this  was  that  the  Chamberlain,  only  once  a 
day,  in  the  afternoon,  would  leave  his  room  for  a  walk  in  the 
park,  that  Baptiste  administered  the  whole  estate,  and  that  the 
latter  liked  to  know  what  was  going  on  in  Pani  Walewska's 
apartment. 

All  this  news  did  not  make  any  impression  on  Pani  Walewska  ; 
still  less  could  she  learn  when  she  asked  what  was  going  on  in 
Warsaw.  Since  the  Chamberlain's  return  to  Walewice,  in  1807, 
he  had  not  subscribed  to  a  paper,  the  neighbours  did  not  visit  the 
castle,  probably  estranged  because  the  Chamberlain  was  not 
well,  and  did  not  receive  anybody.  The  only  sources  of  news 
were  Jewish  merchants  from  Bielava  and  Sobota,  and  through 
them  some  news  came  to  Pani  Walewska  about  festivities  in 
Warsaw,  about  the  sojourn  of  the  new  Polish  king,  that  the 
Austrian  Emperor  had  been  obliged  to  give  his  daughter  as  a 
wife  to  Napoleon,  that  the  Pope  was  imprisoned,  that  the  Polish 
army  had  come  back,  and  that  Prince  Joseph  was  going  to 
marry  some  young  girl  who,  disguised  as  a  private,  had  served  in 
the  army ;  that  the  Speaker  Małachowski  had  died,  and  while 
dying  had  cursed  Napoleon  so  awfully  that  Wybicki  had  besought 
him  to  withdraw  his  curse,  but  that  the  Speaker  had  died  with- 
out doing  so  ;  that  the  Napoleonic  law  had  been  introduced,  and, 
according  to  it,  even  a  nobleman  could  be  fined  or  imprisoned ; 
that  they  were  going  to  recruit  again,  although  the  Diet  did  not 
wish  it,  but  Davoust  ordered  it,  and  it  must  be  so,  for  Davoust 
could  not  stand  any  opposition  to  his  wishes. 

Those  disorderly  pieces  of  news,  ornamented  with  various 
remarks  from  the  gossipers,  could  not  satisfy  Pani  Walewska, 
who  was  accustomed  to  stand  at  the  great  altar  and  look  at  the 
whole  chessboard  of  history  and  events. 

The  result  was  that  those  pieces  of  news,  instead  of  satisfying 
her,  aroused  in  her  the  desire  to  learn  something  more  precise. 
Several  times  she  wished  to  write  to  Warsaw  to  Princess  Jab- 
łonowska or  to  Mme.  de  Vauban,  but  she  gave  up  the  idea  and 
waited. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  on  the  day  when  Pani  Walewska 
had  sent  her  son  with  the  nurse  and  chambermaid  for  the  first 
walk  in  the  park.  She  would  have  given  much  if  she  could  also 
have  gone  into  the  shady  alleys  of  the  park,  trodden  the  well- 


408  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

known  paths,  and  breathed  the  balmy  air  of  the  spring.  Pride, 
and  then  the  fear  of  meeting  her  ex-husband's  servants,  obliged 
her  to  stop  in  her  apartments.  Yielding  to  that  voluntary 
restraint,  Pani  Walewska  had  determined  to  accompany  her  son 
at  least  with  her  looks  from  behind  the  window  hangings. 
Therefore  she  sat  at  the  window  and  looked  with  love  to  the 
spot  where  the  child's  white  cap  was  seen.  All  at  once  she 
perceived  her  ex-husband  coming  out  from  under  a  shadowy 
tree  and  going  directly  towards  the  child. 

At  that  sight  Pani  Walewska  wished  to  shout  and  warn  the 
nurse  to  turn  the  other  way,  but  it  was  too  late. 

And  Pani  Walewska  beheld  her  ex-husband's  thin  figure 
hanging  on  the  arms  of  two  servants ;  she  beheld  his  white, 
plaster-like  face,  and  saw  the  Chamberlain  come  to  her  child ; 
how  he  bowed ;  she  even  heard  some  sounds  of  his  voice. 

At  the  first  moment  Pani  Walewska  thought  that  her  husband 
was  sneering  at  her  child,  that  not  being  able  to  reach  the 
mother  he  was  avenging  himself  on  her  child,  that  he  was  in- 
sulting it — giving  vent  to  his  anger.  But  having  attentively 
looked  at  the  Chamberlain's  humbly  bent  figure,  at  his  solemn 
movements,  and  at  his  gala  dress.  Pani  Walewska  unconsciously 
felt  gratitude  towards  her  ex-husband.  She  knew  him  too 
well  not  to  be  able  to  see,  even  from  a  distance,  that  in  his 
strange  behaviour  there  was  no  maliciousness  and  anger. 

The  nurse  and  the  maid  dispersed  Pani  Walewska's  doubts. 
Tears  appeared  in  her  eyes.  She  forgot  all  the  grievances  she 
had  against  the  Chamberlain  ;  she  had  forgiven  him  all ;  only 
her  own  fault  seemed  bigger,  only  she  became  humble,  and  a 
desire  to  go  down  to  the  Chamberlain's  apartment  and  thank 
him  seized  her. 

And  thinking  in  that  way  she  did  not  dare  to  suppose  that,  after 
that  act  of  duty,  her  life  would  change  under  the  roof  of  her 
ex-husband.  Never !  The  marriage  had  been  made  invalid — 
the  bridges  were  burnt — even  should  she  be  obliged  to  live  in 
misery,  she  must  leave,  she  must  go  away,  she  Avould  take 
nothing  from  him.  When,  after  the  meeting  in  the  park.  Pani 
Walewska  was  pressing  her  son  to  her  bosom,  thinking  again 
about  her  past,  the  housekeeper  announced  Mme.  de  Vauban's 
arrival  to  her. 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  409 

Pani  Walewska  would  not  believe  it  at  first,  but  being 
solemnly  assured  by  the  woman,  she  rushed  into  the  boudoir  and 
fell  into  the  Countess's  arms. 

Mme.  de  Vauban  was  moved  by  that  unexpected  outburst  of 
cordiality  on  Pani  Walewska's  part,  for  she  did  not  understand 
that  the  latter  welcomed  her  because  she  expected  Mme.  de 
Vauban  to  be  able  to  disperse  all  her  conjectures,  and  per- 
chance to  help  her  to  put  a  stop  to  her  unbearable  position. 

After  a  noisy  greeting  on  Mme.  de  Vauban's  part,  and  after 
numerous  exaggerated  compliments  from  her,  "how  much  more 
beautiful  chere  Marie  had  become,"  about  the  marvellous  beauty 
of  the  child,  about  her  longing  for  "her  best  friend,"  the  con- 
versation became  evener,  quieter. 

Precisely  speaking,  it  was  not  a  conversation,  but  the 
Comitess's  long  monologue,  sometimes  interrupted  by  Pani 
Walewska's  questions. 

Mme.  de  Vauban  spoke  at  length  and  picturesquely,  smiling 
at  her  listener's  signs  of  astonishment.  Pani  Walewska  learned 
then  about  the  peace  concluded  with  Austria,  about  the  prob- 
able divorce  of  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz  from  her  husband,  about 
the  projected  marriage  between  Victor  Ossoliński  and  Zosia 
Chodkiewicz,  Princess  Jablonowska's  niece,  about  the  Pope's 
sojourn  in  Saronne,  about  Czosonowska,  who  sent  a  thousand 
kisses  to  Pani  Walewska,  about  the  continual  quarrels  between 
Davoust  and  Prince  Poniatowski. 

All  this  news  Mme.  de  Vauban  ornamented  with  artful 
remarks,  mixed  with  irony  and  sometimes  with  malice. 

Pani  Walewska  listened  patiently,  waiting  till  the  Countess 
would  touch  on  the  subject  that  was  most  interesting  to  her ; 
but  when  Mme.  de  Vauban  dwelt  still  further  upon  things  in- 
different to  the  Chamberlain's  ex-wife,  she  interrupted  her 
suddenly — 

"  And  where  is  the  Emperor  ? " 

"  The  Emperor  !  In  Paris,  my  dear  child  !  He  is  tired,  as 
it  seems !  I  pity  him  heartily.  What  a  bother  he  was  obliged 
to  undergo  on  account  of  that  marriage.  Josephine  made 
scenes  !  I  pity  her,  too  !  But  one  must  be  indulgent — I  have 
a  right  to  know  something  about  it.  .  .  .  But  you  have  grown 
pale,  my  dearest  .  .  .  ! " 


410  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  I  thought  it  was  only  gossip  !  " 

"  He  was  obliged  !  I  tell  you  he  was  obliged !  It  is  a 
political  marriage  !  There  is  the  question  of  the  dynasty  .  .  . 
of  a  successor  !     They  forced  him  !  " 

Pani  Walewska  dropped  her  eyes,  and  stared  at  the  carpet. 

"  You  know  very  well  that  my  social  position,  the  tradition  of 
my  family  splendour,  makes  me  a  partisan  of  the  Bourbons ;  but 
notwithstanding  that,  I  feel  for  him  a  hearty  commiseration, 
il  est  si  brave !  They  imposed  an  Austrian  on  him.  As  it 
seems,  elle  nest  pas  trop  hien.  Josephine  got  a  large  fortune, 
and  they  left  her  a  title.  Truly,  I  do  not  understand,  for  she 
should  long  ago  have  lost  all  her  illusions.  .  .  .  Not  everybody 
is  as  strong !  But  you,  dearest,  you  have  no  reason  to  com- 
plain of  that  .  .  .  !  " 

"  It  seems  that  all  this  is  perfectly  indifferent  to-day." 

"  You  are  mistaken ;  they  always  highly  appreciate  your 
opinion,  every  one  of  your  words." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  bitterly. 

"Then  you  must  know  that  I  am  in  disgrace.  Either  I 
became  importunate  to  him,  or  permitted  another  to  conquer 
my  position.  ..." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  closed  Pani  W^alewska's  mouth  with  a  kiss. 

"  Enough,  enough  !  Not  one  word  more  !  Fatality,  that  is 
all,  and  if  you  wish,  malice,  jealousy,  human  iniquity  !  They 
circumvented  him,  deceived  him,  and  you  must  agree  they 
had  such  proofs,  such  appearances  of  your  being  guilty  .  .  ." 

"  Of  having  visited  a  dying  playmate  of  my  childhood.  .  .  ." 

"  Chevalier  de  Gorayski !  I  was  moved  by  the  news  of  his 
death.  But  what  would  you  say  if  I  tell  you  that  I,  your 
devoted  friend,  who  knew  your  immaculate  heart,  I  thought 
that  you  were  a  little  bit  fond  of  Gorayski.  .  .  .  And  even  that 
you  loved  him.  .  .  ." 

"  I  did  love  him  like  a  brother.  .  .  ." 

"  I  believe  you  !  But  is  there  a  man  who  would  believe  this  ? 
Only  think  !  Ever  since  that  adventure  with  Herceau — he  has 
a  nasty  scar  on  his  face— they  watched  Gorayski.  .  .  .  They 
spied  on  you,  and  saw  you  with  officers  on  horseback  at  night. 
Well,  notwithstanding  all,  it  is  a  Court,  although  it  smells  of 
barracks,  but  it  is  a  Court!     And  he  suffered  so  much.  ..." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  411 

"And  found  me  guilty  without  listening  to  my  justification." 

"You  must  see  in  that  the  cleverness  of  the  intrigue." 

"  It  is  done/'  said  Pani  Walewska  drily. 

"  YeSj  but  the  truth  is  bound  to  come  out.  Do  not  think,  my 
dear  child,  that  those  who  loved  you  have  abandoned  you,  that 
they  have  forgotten  you.  Time  was  necessary  for  the  elucida- 
tion, and  it  came.  ..." 

"I  do  not  understand,"  whispered  Pani  Walewska,  dominat- 
ing her  emotion  with  an  effort. 

"  The  Emperor  expects  your  return  to  Paris." 

Pani  Walewska  lifted  her  head  proudly. 

"I  do  not  intend  to  go  there  at  all." 

Mme.  de  V^auban  grew  sorrowful. 

"  You  do  not  understand  me ;  my  sudden  arrival  here  is  not 
without  reason.  It  is  simply  this :  knowing  my  friendship  for 
you,  and  your  reciprocal  sentiment  towards  me,  they  besought 
me ;  they  made  me  promise  that  .  .  .  well  .  .  .  bring  you  to 
Paris,  where  longing  ..." 

Pani  Walewska  rushed  from  her  seat. 

"Countess,  you  must  give  up  your  plans,  then.  I  permitted 
myself  to  be  brought  from  Schoenbrunn  here,  where  I  live  on 
the  generosity  of  my  ex-husband,  but  there  is  no  power  which 
could  make  me  move  without  my  will.     I  shall  defend  myself." 

Mme.  de  Vauban  grew  confused,  and  began  to  manoeuvre  in 
order  to  save  the  situation. 

"  Dearest !  What  ideas  !  Would  I  dare  !  I  came  here  pushed 
by  my  heart,  for  the  sake  of  friendship  !  " 

"Such  being  the  case,  stop  your  further  arguments  !  " 

"  Only  one  word  more  ! " 

"Very  well." 

"  You  are  the  mother  of  his  son  !  "  whispered  Mme,  Vauban 
M'ith  emphasis. 

"  But  I  have  also  a  right  to  have  my  dignity  and  to  be  my 
own  mistiness." 

"  Undoubtedly,  but  you  have  no  right  to  trifle  with  the 
child's  career ;  he  also  has  a  right  tu  be  considered." 

Pani  Walewska  crushed  her  hands. 

"  Finish,  finish  quickly  !  " 

"  Only  be  quieted,  and  think  it  over.     There  is  the  question 


41^  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY 

of  the  future.  Judge  for  yourself.  You  are  divorced,  you 
have  no  right  to  your  ex-husband's  name.  Excuse  me  for 
going  into  such  details.  What  name  will  you  give  to  your  son? 
Have  you  a  right  to  refuse  him  his  father's  care  .f*  Have  you 
a  right  to  forbid  the  father  to  see  his  child,  after  whom  his 
heart  is  longing  ?  " 

Pani  Walewska  covered  her  face  with  her  hands  and  was 
silent,  while  Mme.  de  Vauban  defended  her  position  en- 
thusiastically. 

"  You  can  bear  ill-will,  you  cannot  love  any  more,  you  can 
say  that  you  have  lost  all  illusions,  that  you  have  fallen  from 
the  heaven  of  dreams  on  the  earth  of  disenchantment,  but  you 
cannot  deny  the  tie  uniting  you.  And  this  tie  is  the  son,  is  the 
future  of  that  son — his  career.  I  do  not  deny  that  the  Emperor 
hopes  you  will  return  his  feelings — that  you  will  forgive  him 
a  moment  of  jealousy — that  you  will  take  into  consideration 
his  own  sufferings ;  but  all  this  depends  on  your  point  of  view. 
All  he  would  like  to  do  is  to  assure  his  son  a  position  in  the 
world.  Such  is  the  state  of  affairs.  My  dearest,  I  did  not 
think  for  a  minute  that  you  would  give  in  at  my  first  prayer, 
that  you  would  forgive  at  once  .  .  .  but  the  son  .  .   .  the  son!" 

Pani  Walewska  looked  feverishly  around  her,  and  went  to  her 
bedroom.     There  she  knelt  at  the  child's  cradle  and  cried. 

Mme.  de  Vauban,  having  looked  discreetly  at  Pani  Walewska, 
smiled  with  satisfaction,  and  having  exchanged  a  few  words 
with  the  housekeeper,  ordered  herself  to  be  announced  to  the 
Chamberlain. 

A  week  after  Mme.  Vauban's  visit  to  Walewice,  a  large  blue 
carriage,  with  six  powerful  bay  horses  harnessed  to  it,  stood  at 
the  portico  of  the  castle. 

Two  vans  were  behind  the  carriage. 

A  feverish  animation  reigned  round  the  vehicles.  The  servants  ; 
were  bringing  out  trunks,  boxes,  baskets,  bundles,  and  casks. 

The  apartment  on  the  first  floor  was  full  of  noise,  of  mixed 
voices,  of  maids  and  lackeys  rushing  about  commanded  by  John. 
On  the  ground  floor  a  grave-like  quiet  was  supreme. 

Notwithstanding  that,  even  in  that  part  of  the  Walewski 
residence  there  had  been  some  participation  in  the  caz'es  about 
the  preparations,  only  in  a  different  way. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  413 

The  Chamberlain  himself,  dressed  since  early  morning  in  a 
brown  coat,  with  the  star  of  the  White  Eagle  and  the  cross  of 
the  Legion  of  Honour  on  his  chest,  was  sitting  at  the  window 
and  watched  the  preparations  from  behind  its  hangings,  from 
time  to  time  sharing  his  thoughts  with  Baptiste,  and  even 
giving  him  some  orders. 

'•  Tell  Matthew  to  drive  carefully." 

"  An  old  coachman^  sir." 

"That  makes  no  difference.  Has  he  taken  everything  he 
ought  to }     Such  a  long  journey  !     An  accident  is  inevitable." 

"I  am  sure  he  has  everything  he  needs/'  muttered  the 
valet. 

"  Very  well !  Baptiste,  send  a  lackey  to  the  housekeeper  and 
tell  her  to  take  good  care  of  the  provisions !  They  will  be  on 
the  road  ten  days  or  a  fortnight.  Above  all,  they  must  not 
forget  medicine." 

"The  housekeeper  will  not  obey  a  lackey  if  she  does  not 
know  who  orders.     I  must  tell  her  it  is  your  lordship." 

"  No !  You  must  not  do  that !  But  do  it  just  the  same. 
Look !  they  do  not  know  how  to  load  the  boxes." 

The  time  passed  quickly  so,  that  the  Chamberlain  hardly 
noticed  that  the  vans  were  ready. 

Pan  Walewski  was  so  absorbed  by  his  observations  that  he  did 
not  feel  that  some  one  was  tugging  at  his  sleeve  ;  only  when  he 
heard  John's  voice  he  turned  his  head  from  the  window. 

"  What  is  it  ?  " 

"  I  came  to  make  my  bow  to  your  lordship." 

"What?" 

"We  are  going,  my  lord." 

"  You  are  going  !     How  is  it  ?     But  is  nobody  there  yet  ? " 

"They  are  coming  down." 

"  Coming  down ! "  repeated  the  Chamberlain  in  a  hoarse 
voice.     "  H'm  !     Then  you  also  !     And  the  Emperor's  courier .'' " 

"  He  will  sit  on  the  box  with  the  coachman." 

"Ah  !  with  the  coachman,"  repeated  the  Chamberlain.  "And 
Andrew's  wife  ?  Wait !  Come  here  !  Help  me  !  Here  is  a 
purse ;  give  it  to  Andrew's  wife.  Tell  her  .  .  .  well  .  .  .  tell 
her  .  .  .  that  .  .  .  that  it  is  from  you." 

"  She  would  not  believe  it,  your  lordship." 


414  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

*'  No  matter  !  Wait !  Here  is  a  box !  Take  good  care  of 
it.  .  .  .  Should  there  be  any  need  of  diamonds  ,  .  or  ■  ,  . 
understand  ?     Then  in  this  box  .  .  .  are  .  .    '' 

John's  eyes  became  moist. 

The  Chamberlain,  in  the  meanwhile,  holding  by  the  arm  of 
the  old  servant,  spoke  further. 

"  Not  now,  but  when  it  may  be  necessary.  As  if  it  were  from 
you  .  .  .  the  necklace.  .  .  .  Wait !  .  .  .  here  is  for  you  .  .  . 
go— with  God  !  " 

'^  Your  lordship  !  "  moaned  John,  falling  at  the  Chamberlain's 
feet. 

''  Nothing  .  .  .  well !     With  God  !  " 

John  put  the  purse  into  a  pocket,  took  the  heavy  box,  bowed, 
and  went  out. 

The  Chamberlain  minced  to  the  AvindoAV  again,  but  as  soon  as 
he  glanced  through  it  he  trembled,  and  cried  passionately  to 
Baptiste — 

"  My  stick  !     Hat !     Give  me  your  arm  !     Lively  ! " 

Pani  Walewska,  sitting  in  the  carriage,  looked  at  the  castle. 
Beside  her,  Andrew's  wife  was  holding  in  her  arms  the  child. 
The  chambermaid  was  ready  to  get  in. 

Pani  Walewska  Avas  oppressed.  She  had  lived  so  many  long 
and  sad  days  in  this  castle !  And  she  Mas  going  perhaps  to 
meet  with  worse  ones.  She  was  going,  not  having  said  one 
word  to  the  man  under  whose  roof  she  had  found  shelter, 
whose  wife  she  formerly  was,  whose  last  days  she  had  made 
bitter.  ...  It  is  done  .  .  .  bashfulness,  and  fear  that  she 
might  be  insulted,  took  her  courage  away.  .  .  .  She  wished, 
but  postponed.  .  ,  .  She  was  going,  and  the  consciousness  of 
that  departure,  at  the  moment  when  death  was  hovering  over 
that  old  man,  would  follow  her,  would  pursue  her,  .  .  It  was 
done ! 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  deeply,  dominated  her  emotion,  and 
was  looking  through  the  window  of  the  carriage  in  order  to  tell 
John  to  hasten  the  departure,  when  the  Chamberlain's  wrinkled 
face  appeared. 

At  that  sight  Pani  Walewska  paled  and  threw  herself  back. 

The  Chamberlain,  not  paying  any  heed  to  her  fright,  waved! 
his  hand  to  the  infant  and  whispered  some  words. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  415 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Father,  of  the  Son  .  /'  muttered  the 
Chamberlain,  and  stopped. 

Pani  Walewska  could  hardly  breathe.  She  turned  her  eyes 
on  her  ex-husband  and  put  out  her  hand. 

The  Chamberlain  trembled  and  stood  bent,  leaning  with  both 
hands  on  his  Avalking-stick. 

"Forgive  me  !  "  muttered  Pani  Walewska  with  an  effort. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  at  her  with  his  pale,  sad  eyes,  took 
her  hand,  and  pressed  it  to  his  lips. 

"No,  no  !  I  am  not  worthy  !  "  whispered  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Well,"  mumbled  the  Chamberlain.  "  Well  .  .  .  it  is  .  .  . 
and  if  .  .  .  then  bring  me  his  Imperial  Highness !  Yes,  bring 
me  ...  In  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  wished  to  answer,  but  she  could  not  find 
words,  her  strength  gave  way.  .  .  .  She  saw  the  Chamberlain's 
white  wig  bend  before  her.  She  understood  what  he  had  said 
to  her,  and  she  noticed  when  a  big  tear  rolled  on  his  withered 
face,  but  she  could  only,  by  a  nervous  pressure  of  his  hand, 
make  him  know  that  her  soul  was  with  him,  that  she  humiliated 
herself. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

WHEN,  on  March  20th,  1811,  the  first  cannon-shot  at 
the  Hotel  des  Invahdes  was  fired  in  Paris,  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  capital  of  France  trembled,  stopped  their  conversa- 
tion, and  began  to  count  the  shots.  .  .  . 

The  emotion  Avas  great  and  general,  as  if  Paris  of  those  times 
had  not  been  for  long  years  the  centre  from  which  war  cries 
sounded  throughout  the  world,  from  which  vast  armies  poured 
and  overthrew  thrones,  destroyed  kmgdoms,  tore  away  the 
boundaries  of  states,  decided  the  lot  of  nations. 

"^One,  two,  three,  four  !"  counted  Paris  with  apprehension,  for 
the  number  of  shots  was  going  to  decide  whether  its  future 
was  to  be  quiet  or  disturbed. 

"  Ten,  eleven,  twelve ! "  repeated  the  inhabitants  of  the 
palaces  in  the  Faubourg  St.  Germain,  as  well  as  of  the  modest 
dwelling-houses  in  Montmartre. 

The  official  announcement  of  Mary  Louise's  confinement  was 
short ;  if  the  newborn  babe  were  a  son,  not  twenty-one,  but  a 
hundred  and  one  cannon-shots  would  be  fired. 

"  Seventeen,  eighteen,  nineteen ! "  counted  Paris,  with  in- 
creasing emotion. 

Eastern  Europe  had  given  up  the  desire  of  fighting  Napoleon 
any  more ;  Spain  was  going  to  lay  down  its  arms  at  any 
moment ;  England,  ruined  by  the  custom-house  blockade,  was 
waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  stretch  out  her  hand  for  reconcilia- 
tion— there  would  be  a  glorious  peace  for  France.  But  in  order 
that  this  peace  should  be  durable  France  needed  an  heir,  for 
only  in  that  case  would  her  lot  cease  to  depend  on  a  ball,  on 
a  piece  of  shell,  or  on  the  thrust  of  a  criminal  hand,  for  only 
then  there  would  be  an  answer  to  the  question  ;  What  would 
happen  should  Napoleon  be  at  hand  no  longer  ? 

416 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  417 

"Twenty,  twenty-one  !  "  whispered  Bonaparte's  followers^  and 
their  hearts  stopped  beating.  And  that  moment  between  the 
last  and  the  following  cannon-shot  made  the  hopes  of  revolu- 
tionists waiting  for  disorder  more  sure,  while  the  men  who 
had  grown  up  under  Napoleon's  eagles  became  gloomy.  That 
moment  quenched  in  some  people  all  joy,  and  kindled  it  in 
others.  To  the  capital  that  moment  was  torture,  grief,  doubt, 
prayer,  and  curse.  It  made  the  people  think  over  the  past  and 
look  into  the  future. 

Suddenly  the  cannon  roared  louder,  longer.  .  .  . 

"  Twenty- two  ! "  shouted  hundreds  of  thousands,  and  Paris 
trembled. 

Crowds  of  people  rushed  into  streets  and  squares,  crowds  avid 
for  news,  united  in  one  shout,  in  one  song. 

The  cannons  continued  firing  on  the  shores  of  the  Seine,  but 
the  Parisians  did  not  need  to  count  any  longer,  the  twenty- 
second  shot  told  them  everything. 

The  ci'owds  increased  like  an  enormous  grey  wave,  and 
rushed  to  the  Tuileries  in  order  to  greet  the  future  ruler,  king 
of  kings,  emperor. 

While  the  streets  round  the  Tuileries  were  packed  with 
people  and  resounded  with  joyful  shouts,  the  other  streets  grew 
quieter,  emptier.  Among  those,  perhaps  the  quietest  at  that 
moment  was  the  Rue  de  la  Victoire,  although  here  also  there 
was  some  animation,  especially  in  a  small  but  elegant  mansion, 
marked  with  the  number  48. 

The  direct  cause  of  the  movement  was  an  elderly  lady,  who, 
at  the  moment  the  cannons  began  to  fire,  alighted  from  a 
carriage  in  front  of  the  mansion.  That  lady  was  so  much 
moved  by  the  cannonading  that,  notwithstanding  her  advanced 
age,  she  cried:  "They  ai-e  firing!"  and  rushed  to  the  stairs 
and  then  to  the  vestibule,  arousing  a  surprise  in  her  coachman 
and  in  the  servants  of  the  little  palace. 

In  the  ante-chamber,  without  taking  off  her  cloak,  she  rushed 
to  the  old,  bent  servant  wearing  the  imperial  livery. 

"Where  is  Pani  Walewska ? "  asked  the  lady  in  Polish. 

"  Shall  I  announce  ? " 

"  No !     Take  me  !     Three  !  .  .  .  fom- !  .  .  ." 

The  old  man  did  not  budge. 
2   £ 


418  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  I  must  announce  you.     Your  grace  knows  ..." 

"  No  !     They  are  firing  !     Eighty  nine  !  " 

'^Such  are  my  orders  !     I  am  going  to  announce  !  " 

The  lackey  disappeared  at  the  turn  of  the  hall,  while  the 
lady  rushed  into  the  drawing-room  to  the  right,  calling  and 
counting  by  turns. 

"  Suzanne  !     Eighteen  ! " 

"Your  grace ! " 

"  Ah  !  Twenty  !  Help  me  to  take  off  my  cloak  !  Lord  ! 
Twenty-one  !  Hasten  !  Twenty-two  !  I  am  fainting  !  Salts ! 
Or  no  !    Wait  ...  I  may  be  mistaken  !    They  are  still  firing  ! " 

The  Princess  fell  on  the  sofa.  The  maid  did  not  pay  any 
attention  to  the  lady's  emotion,  and  was  taking  care  of  the 
cloak.  The  lady,  with  half-closed  eyes,  listened  to  the  booming 
of  cannons,  and  whispered  to  herself,  evidently  unable  to  control 
the  imperative  need  of  expressing  her  thoughts. 

"  It  is  done  !  All  is  lost !  My  bad  presentiments  are  realised  ! 
Until  now  he  endured  her  as  the  mother  of  his  son !  Talley- 
rand warned  her !  She  did  not  know  how  to  take  advantage, 
she  did  not  assure  her  future  !  If  noAv,  at  the  decisive  moment, 
she  will  not  dictate  her  demands — but  no,  I  cannot  permit 
this !  .  .  .  A  family  has  its  rights,  its  claims !  Suzanne  !  Give 
me  some  water  !     They  are  still  firing  ? " 

"  Yes,  your  grace." 

"  Were  there  any  callers  to-day  }  " 

"  No,  your  grace.     Only  some  flowers  were  brought." 

"Flowers  !  "  repeated  the  Princess,  with  an  outburst.  "They 
make  one  dizzy  !  " 

"  Her  ladyship  is  very  fond  of  them." 

"  Enough !  It  is  no  concern  of  yours !  She  is  fond  of 
flowers  !    And  .  .  .  naturally  the  Prince  of  Friul  did  not  call .''  " 

"  No,  your  grace." 

"  Of  course  !     And  how  is  the  Count  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.     I  have  not  seen  the  nurse  this  morning." 

Her  ladyship  is  waiting  for  your  grace  in  the  blue  drawing- 
room  !  "  resounded  a  lackey's  voice. 

The  Princess  smiled  ironically. 

"She  is  waiting  !  Much  obliged  !  "  she  said  through  her  set 
teeth,  rising  slowly  from  the  sofa ;  but  suddenly,  prompted  l>y 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  419 

a  thought,  she  went  quickly  to  the  other  side  of  the  mansion, 
and  rushed  into  the  drawing-room  in  which  Pani  Walewska 
was  sitting  with  her  son  on  her  knees. 

"  Mary,  my  dearest ! "  began  the  Princess  in  her  trembling 
voice,  "1  wished  so  much  to  be  with  you  at  this  moment. 
Permit  me  to  kiss  you  .  .  .  and  this  poor  boy  also !  Ah,  how 
sweet  he  is  to-day !  He  laughs !  Poor  child,  he  does  not 
know  anything  !  But  you  must  not  give  in.  Courage,  my  dear 
child  !  If  you  only  trust  me  !  One  might  have  expected  this. 
You  have  no  idea  how  deeply  I  feel !  But  I  am  with  you  .  .  . 
I  .  .  .  I  .  .  .!" 

"I  am  much  obliged,"  said  Pani  Walewska  quietly,  looking 
at  her  son's  fair  head,  "although  I  do  not  understand  your 
commiseration.     Alexandre  is  quite  well." 

The  Princess  lifted  her  painted  eyebrows. 

"  Then  you  have  not  heard  cannon-shots  ?  Do  you  not  hear 
them?     Listen!  a  hundred  and  one  !  ..." 

"  Yes,  I  did  notice." 

"  The  Emperor  has  a  successor." 

Pani  Walewska  bent  over  her  son's  head. 

"■And  you  receive  this  news  so  indifferently  ?" 

An  imperceptible  blush  passed  across  Pani  Walewska's  face. 

"  Princess,  you  are  mistaken — not  indifferently,  I  am  very 
glad !  The  Emperor  wished  so  much  to  have  a  legitimate 
son ! " 

The  Princess  cried  in  despair. 

"  Par  exemple  !  C' est  incomprehensible  !  hiexplicable  !  Then 
you  cannot  comprehend  the  situation  if  you  are  not  excited  at 
the  thought  of  what  will  become  of  your  child  !  " 

"  My  child  ?  " 

"Well,  it  is  clear.  Until  now  it  had  a  great,  undeniable 
influence.  It  united  you  with  the  Emperor,  it  assured  your 
position,  it  permitted  one  to  hope  for  the  most  splendid  future. 
Simply,  my  dear,  even  Mary  Louise  was  obliged  to  count  with 
you.  Do  not  say  no !  The  best  proof  was  the  Empress  Josephine. 
If  it  had  not  been  for  Alexandre,  would  she  have  cared  so  much 
for  your  friendship  .-*  To-day  you  ai-e  the  vanquished.  The 
Emperor  will  not  be  longing  any  more  for  Alexandre,  for  he 
has  another  son.  .  .  .  Even,  in  some  respects,  Alexandre  will  be 


420  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

an  obstacle  to  him.  Yes,  my  dearest  .  .  .  now  is  the  time  to 
ask  for  something,  not  to  forget  anything,  for  to-morrow  3'ou 
will  not  be  allowed  to  ask  for  anything." 

"  But  neither  to-day  nor  to-morrow  am  I  going  to  ask  for 
anything." 

Princess  Jabłonowska  made  an  angry  movement. 

"  Mary,  think  it  over.  Remember  your  child.  You  must  not 
decide  not  to  ask  for  anything,  not  to  make  your  conditions." 

"  What  conditions  ?  " 

*'Well  ...  of  your  withdrawing." 

Pani  Walewska  lifted  her  big  blue  eyes  to  the  Princess. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  affirmed  the  Princess  emphatically.  "  You  have 
a  right.  It  is  your  duty.  Above  all  you  must  get  a  title. 
Alexandre  was  made  a  count,  but  that  is  not  enough.  You 
must  ask  for  the  Principality  of  Łowicz.  They  can  take  it  from 
Davoust  and  give  him  something  else.  ...  I  must  insist ! " 

"  Princess,  you  trouble  yourself  uselessly." 

''  Ah,  if  you  have  no  confidence  in  me^  if  you  do  not  care  for 
your  son's  future  ..." 

"  I  understand  it  quite  differently." 

"As  you  like.  I  wash  my  hands.  I  am  awfully  sorry  you 
are  imprudent,  that  you  forget  that  that  little  estate  of  yours 
would  not  suffice  for  you  all,  for  there  is  your  brother  Paul,  and 
your  sister  Pani  Rychlowska.  I  do  not  know  how  I  could  con- 
vince you,  for  I  know  that  my  attachment  to  you  does  not  carry 
any  weight."  Here  the  Princess  put  her  handkerchief  to  her 
eyes.     "  It  is  so  painful,  so  painful !  " 

"  If  you  would  leave  that  matter  alone  it  would  be  best  for 
both  of  us.  Pray,  remember  that  I  yield  where  I  can.  Recollect 
M.  de  Flahaut's  affair." 

"It  was  Anetka  Tyszkiewicz's  faiblesse." 

"  But  you  wished  me  to  intercede.  .  .  .  Then  remember  the 
Lubienskis.  ..." 

"  I  did  not  expect  you  to  make  me  any  reproaches." 

"  I  do  not  reproach  ;  I  only  wish  to  prove  to  you  that  I  do 
what  you  Avish  me  to  do  when  the  question  is  not  about  myself. 
Here  I  decide  alone.     Let  me  not  speak  any  more  about  this." 

"  Very  well." 

"  Have  you  been  out } " 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY  421 

"  Yes,  I  went  to  Leroy ;  he  is  making  twenty  new  dresses  for 
the  Empress." 

"  I  am  sure  they  will  be  pretty." 

"  Undoubtedly,"  answered  the  Princess  drily.  "  Are  you  not 
going  out  to-day  ?  " 

"  Where  could  I  go  ? " 

"  Of  course,  with  your  way  of  living.  As  for  me,  I  am  going 
to  dress." 

"  Do  you  intend  to  make  calls  }  " 

"  I  must  go  to  the  Tuileries  to  present  my  congratulations  at 
least  to  the  Princess  Montebello." 

"  Then,  this  evening  .  .  .  .'' " 

"  If  your  servants  will  allow  .  .  .  .f* " 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  sadly. 

"  You  know  veiy  well  that  those  orders  are  not  mine.  Duroc 
asked  for  him.  .  .  .  And  then  I  need  so  often  to  be  alone.  .  .  ." 

The  Princess  kissed  Pani  Walewska  noisily,  touched  little 
Alexandre's  face,  and  went  out. 

Pani  Walewska  remained  motionless,  thoughtful,  looking  into 
the  grey  space  of  a  March  day.  Suddenly,  the  corners  of  her 
shapely  mouth  quivered,  the  bosom  heaved  with  quiet  pain 
that  ended  in  a  spasmodic  sigh ;  tears  fell  on  the  child's  fair 
head. 

The  nursery  governess  entered  the  drawing-room  and  began 
to  relate  the  latest  news  that  had  already  reached  the  Rue  de  la 
Victoire. 

The  Empress  had  been  ill  since  the  day  before,  but  everything 
was  only  over  towards  morning. 

The  Emperor  spent  the  whole  night  in  the  Empress's  room. 
Corvisart  and  Dubois  did  not  leave  her  for  one  minute. 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  movement ;  the  child  woke  up. 

The  governess  rang  for  the  nurse,  and  when  Pani  Walewska 
handed  her  the  child  the  governess  gave  vent  to  her  talkative- 
ness. 

"The  whole  Court  was  up.  A  battalion  of  grenadiers  watched 
all  the  doors ;  nobody  was  permitted  to  go  out.  Mme.  de 
Montesquiou  was  appointed  governess  of  the  children  of  France. 
A  fine  position,  to  have  charge  of  the  heir  to  the  throne !  Not 
everyone  is  as  lucky  as  Mme.  de  Montesquiou." 


422  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"  Where  have  you  all  this  news  from  ? "  interrupted  Pani 
Walewska,  displeased,     "  You  know  I  do  not  like  street  gossip." 

"  But  it  is  not  gossip  !  The  whole  of  Paris  is  talking  about 
it.  In  the  morning  the  whole  Imperial  family  was  called  to 
the  Tuileries,  as  well  as  all  the  officials  of  the  Court — Marshals, 
Generals,  Ministers,  and  Ambassadors.  The  secret  was  so  well 
kept  that  they  did  not  know  why  they  were  called.  .  .  .  Then 
the  Emperor  himself  brought  in  his  son.  .  .  .  They  say  he  had 
tears  in  his  eyes.  .  .  .  To-morrow  there  is  to  be  a  gala,  festivi- 
ties, solemn  prayers,  a  banquet  for  the  army !  The  Tuileries 
are  surrounded  by  thousands  of  people.  The  whole  town  is 
rushing  to  congratulate  His  Majesty  !  " 

"  The  whole  town  I  Ah  !  I  am  glad  you  told  me  all  this  ! 
Pray  bring  me  my  jewellery-box,  writing-papei',  pen  and  ink." 

"  Some  one  to  take  a  letter .'' " 

"  John,  as  usual." 

The  govei-ness  did  as  she  was  told.  Pani  Walewska  wrote  a 
letter.     It  was  a  short  one  : — 

"I  am  happy  in  your  happiness.  Little  Alexandre  sends  a 
kiss  to  his  future  Emperor. — Mary." 

Having  written  this  letter.  Pani  Walewska  opened  the  jewel- 
box  and  took  out  a  gold  ring  with  a  sphjaix's  head  engraved 
on  it;  inside  the  ring  one  could  read  the  following  words: 
"  Quand  tu  cessera  de  maimer,  7i'oublie  pas  quejc  t'aiine." 

She  wrapped  the  ring  in  the  letter,  sealed  it,  and  ordered 
John  to  be  called  to  her. 

"To  the  palace  ?"  asked  the  old  servant  confidentially. 

"  Yes.     You  will  give  it  to  Constant  personally." 

"  I  understand  !  " 

"  Only  I  wonder  if  they  will  let  you  in  ?  .  .  ." 

The  old  man  glanced  at  the  Court  livery  he  wore. 

"  In  this  green  they  would  let  me  in  to  Lucifer  himself.  A 
very  strong  colour !  Sometimes  a  big  officer  might  be  turned 
out  from  the  Tuileries,  but  nobody  touches  me  ! " 

John  was  going  to  say  more  about  the  privileges  he  enjoyed, 
but  having  glanced  at  his  mistress,  he  became  suddenly  silent, 
and  withdrew  on  tiptoe. 

The  dusk  came.     Pani  Walewska  in  her  quiet  boudoir  was 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  423 

sitting  at  the  spinet^  bringing  out  sad  melodies  from  it.  It 
seemed  that  in  the  strings  of  the  instrument  she  was  seeking 
for  a  tone  which  could  express  her  thoughts  and  relieve  her 
of  them. 

The  maid  brought  lighted  candles. 

Pani  Walewska  turned  her  head  as  if  wishing  not  to  betray 
the  emotions  which  she  let  loose  in  the  dusk  of  day. 

"Light  already  ! "  said  Pani  Walewska  with  regret. 

"  Yes,  my  lady,"  answered  the  maid.  "  Some  lady  begs  to 
be  permitted  to  see  her  ladyship." 

"  Who  is  she  ? " 

"  I  don't  know.     I  have  never  seen  her  before." 

"  I  have  told  you  so  many  times  that  I  do  not  receive  any- 
body. ...  If  she  is  poor  .  .  .  give  her  some  money.  .  .  ." 

"  I  told  her  .  .  .  but  she  gave  me  her  visiting-card  and  this 
letter." 

Pani  Walewska  took  the  card. 

"Eleonorę  Augier  !     I  do  not  know  her  !     Ah,  a  letter  .  .  . !  " 

Pani  Walewska  tore  the  envelope  and  read : — 

"  I  shall  be  greatly  obliged  if  you  would  not  refuse  your  help 
to  the  bearer  of  this  note,  Mme.  Eleonorę  Augier,  wife  of  my 
former  army  companion,  Captain  Pierre  Augier.  I  humbly 
apologise  for  my  daring. — Philippe,  Cte.  Ornano." 

Pani  Walewska  blushed  slightly. 

"Somebody  I  know  recommends  the  lady  to  me,"  said  Pani 
Walewska,  making  an  effort  to  be  indifferent.  "  I  must  receive 
her.     Ask  her  in." 

"  The  boy  also .''     She  came  with  a  child." 

"  Naturally ! " 

The  maid  went  out,  and  after  a  while  a  young  woman,  lead- 
ing by  the  hand  a  little  boy,  entered  the  boudoir. 

"  Mme.  Eleonorę  Augier  ?  "  said  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Yes,  Madame,"  whispered  the  stranger. 

"Pray  be  seated."' 

Mme.  Augier  sat  on  the  chair  nearest  to  the  door.  The  boy 
hid  his  head  in  the  folds  of  her  skirt. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  inquisitively  at  the  stranger.  The 
woman  appeared   to   be   very   attractive.     She   was   tall,   her 


424  NAPOLEON^S  LOVE  STORY 

figure  was  graceful;  her  pale  face  contrasted  with  her  black 
silky  hair,  while  good  temper  shone  in  her  longish  eyes. 

*' What  brought  you  to  me  ? "  asked  Pani  Walewska. 

"  Madame,  you  must  be  very  good  .  .  .  one  who  is  so  beauti- 
ful!..  .  Ah,  how  beautiful  you  are,  mon  Dieu  J  " 

Pani  Walewska  Avas  near  smiling  ironically  at  such  an  awk- 
ward compliment,  but  Mme.  Augier's  voice  was  so  sincere  that 
she  refrained. 

"I  permit  myself  to  repeat  my  question,  the  rather  as  I 
should  like  to  do  something  for  you  because  of  the  recommenda- 
tion which  you  bring  me." 

"  I  do  not  know  myself !  I  would  not  have  dared  !  But  I 
have  seen  your  portrait,  painted  by  Gćrard,  and  having  seen 
how  beautiful  you  are,  I  thought  you  must  be  as  good  as  you 
are  beautiful.  .  .  ." 

"  Then  you  know  the  painter,  Gerard  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he  is  a  great  artist,  but  only  now  I  see  that  he  is  not 
as  great  as  they  say,  for  he  could  not  render  your  beauty  ..." 

"Thank  you,"  interrupted  Pani  Walewska.  "Then,  what 
can  I  do  for  you  ?     Pray  tell  me.     I  am  listening." 

Mme.  Augier  became  confused,  and  spoke  only  after  a  while. 

"  Madame,  have  you  never  heard  of  me .'' " 

"  No,  I  have  not." 

"  My  former  name  was  Revel  .  .  .  my  first  husband's.  .  .  . 
My  maiden  name  is  Denuelle  de  la  Plaigne  !  " 

"  Denuelle  .''  Denuelle  ?  It  seems  to  me  I  have  heard  .  .  . 
but  I  do  not  remember  in  v.-hat  circumstances." 

"  I  was  at  Mme.  Campan's  boarding-school.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  listen  very  attentively  to  that  preface, 
having  understood  that  she  would  be  obliged  to  listen  to  many 
details  for  which  she  did  not  care  ;  she  looked  at  the  boy,  who 
now  became  more  courageous,  and  was  peeping  from  behind  his 
mother's  chair,  and  she  was  surprised. 

"My  parents  were  quite  rich  ..."  continued  Mme.  Augier. 

"  Is  this  your  son  ?  "  asked  suddenly  Pani  Walewska,  who  was 
attracted  by  the  child's  features. 

"  Yes,  Madame  !     His  name  is  Leon." 

"Leon  !  What  a  remarkable  likeness!"  said  Pani  Walewska, 
speaking  as  if  to  herself. 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  425 

Mme  Augier  grew  animated. 

"  Is  it  not  ?     Even  in  his  movements !     Exactly  like  .  .  ." 

"  Like  who  ?  " 

"  Well  .  .  .  Madame  .  .  ."  mumbled  Mme.  Augier^  "  like  .  .  . 
like  the  Emperor."     Pani  Walewska  paled,  and  asked  quietly — 

"  Then  this  boy  is  .  .  .  his  son  }  " 

"Yes  .  .  ."  answered  Mme.  Augier  in  a  whisper. 

Pani  Walewska  drew  herself  up^  her  ej'es  became  icy.  Now 
she  understood  who  that  woman  was  .  .  .  she  v/as  that 
Eleonorę  who  frightened  her  like  an  evil  spirit,  with  whom  they 
threatened  her  so  often,  whom,  not  long  since,  they  wished  to 
use  as  a  tool  against  her,  whose  name  was  mentioned  in  every 
intrigue  against  Pani  Walewska.  .  .  .  Well,  they  repeated 
to  her  again  and  again  that  the  Emperor  wished  to  adopt  her 
son  and  make  him  his  successor.  .  .  . 

Pani  Walewska's  icy  look  froze  Mme.  Augier. 

"  I  was  mad  ...  I  should  not  have  done  it.  .  .  .  You  will  be 
so  kind  as  to  excuse  me.  ...  In  my  position  ...  I  wished 
to  find  some  help.  It  is  impossible  to  reach  the  Tuileries ! 
They  forbade  me  long  ago.  ...  I  have  written  to  M. 
Constant.  .  .  .  He  was  always  very  kind  to  me.  .  .  .  Yes, 
formerly.  .  .  .  But  now  everything  is  changed.  .  ,  .  You 
know  .  .  .  ! " 

Mme.  Augier  drew  the  child  to  her  and  began  to  cry. 

f'Poor  child  .  .  .  !" 

Pani  Walewska  remembered  little  Alexandre ;  her  hands 
shivered,  she  dropped  her  head  sadly. 

"  Be  assured,"  said  Pani  Walewska,  with  an  effort,  "  if  I  could 
do  anything  ..." 

"  Would  you  be  so  kind !  Do  I  deserve  it .''  Only  now  I 
see  my  levity.  .  .  .  But  to-day,  when  I  heard  the  twenty- 
second  cannon-shot,  I  did  not  know  what  had  become  of 
me.  ...  It  seemed  that  an  abyss  had  opened  in  front  of 
me  .  .  .  that  I  was  falling  into  it.  ...  I  rushed  to  the 
Tuileries.  I  fought  my  way  through  the  crowd,  and  when  I 
was  about  exhausted,  I  was  pushed  by  the  human  wave  to  the 
gate  of  the  palace.  I  noticed  a  Prefect  that  I  knew,  and 
begged  him  to  let  me  in  to  see  M.  Constant.  .  .  .  The  Prefect 
knew  me  well  from  the  time  I  used  to  2:0  with  Leon  to  see  the 


426  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

Emperor,  who  was  very  fond  of  him,  and  liked  to  see  him  during 
his  kinch.  .  .  .  But  the  Prefect  frowned,  shrugged  his  shoulders, 
and  when  I  insisted  he  told  the  sentry  to  drive  me  away.  .  .  . 
The  crowd  laughed  at  me.  ...  I  was  furious.  ...  I  seized  the 
boy  by  the  hand  and  wished  to  shout  that  he  was  his  first- 
boi'n  son  !  Fortunately  a  woman,  whom  I  knew,  was  there, 
and  she  induced  me  to  go  home,  otherwise  I  might  have  found 
myself  in  the  prison  of  Mazas.  .  .  .  When  I  came  to  myself  I 
remembered  you,  Madame,  and  I  came.  Do  you  see  this  blue 
mark  on  my  hand .''     I  got  it  at  the  Tuileries.  .  .  ." 

Mme.  Augier  bent  as  if  under  a  weight  pressing  her  down. 

Pani  Walewska  was  awestricken.  She  forgot  her  involuntary 
dislike  for  Eleonore's  name,  she  forgot  all  wicked  gossip  told 
her  about  Mile.  Denuelle  de  la  Plaigne,  and  she  saw  herself  in 
her.  She  felt  Eleonore's  every  word — she  lived  that  dreadful 
morning  with  her.  Pani  WaleM'ska's  pride  gave  way  to  the 
thought  that  perhaps  she  herself  was  only  the  Eleonorę  of 
to-morrow,  and  she  shivered. 

"  But  why  am  I  telling  you  all  this  ? "  said  Mme.  Augier, 
sighing  painfully. 

"  I  must  know  everything  ;  I  am  listening  to  you." 

"Precisely  speaking,  that  is  all,"  said  Eleonorę  simply. 

"  And  what  would  you  have  done  had  they  let  you  into  the 
palace .'' " 

"Ah,  mon  Dieu  !  .  .  .  I  had  besought  M.  Constant  to  help  us, 
to  say  a  word  while  dressing  the  Emperor.  .  .  .  Ah,  if  I  only 
could  speak  with  M.  Constant  .  .  . ! " 

"  Then  really  you  cared  so  much  to  see  the  valet .'' "  asked 
Pani  Walewska,  to  whom  the  desire  to  see  the  valet  seemed 
very  strange,  as  it  was  expressed  by  the  mother  of  the  Emperor's 
son. 

"  Naturally,  Madame  !  M.  Constant  can  do  much.  More  than 
M.  Meneval !  I  would  have  told  him  about  my  misfortune, 
and  he  would  have  helped  me." 

"  You  counted  only  on  him  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  on  whom  else  could  I  count  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  you  are  right !  W^hat,  then,  do  you  wish  from  me  ? 
If  I  could  not  do  anything  by  myself,  if  not,  I  promise  you  to 
see  Constant." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  427 

"The  question  is  about  my  husband.  You  know,  Madame^ 
about  my  first  husband  ?  No  ?  Nor  about  my  second  marriage  ? 
Then  I  shall  be  obliged  to  tell  you  about  .  .  .  Only  Leon  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  rang  for  her  maid  and  told  her  to  take  the 
boy  and  amuse  him.  He  was  taken  away,  notwithstanding  his 
energetic  protestations. 

"My  father  was  a  rich  manufacturer.  I  was  brought  up  in 
luxury.  I  was  sent  to  Mme.  Campan's  boarding-school.  The 
difficulties  were  great,  but  my  mother  overcame  them  all.  At 
Mme.  Campan's  was  the  Emperor's  sister,  Caroline — later,  the 
Queen  of  Naples.  She  took  a  fancy  to  me.  Having  finished 
my  studies  at  the  school  I  returned  home.  My  mother  was 
fond  of  luxury — my  father  was  ruined.  M.  de  Revel,  a  captain, 
used  to  visit  us ;  he  was  thought  to  be  very  rich.  I  married 
him.  Three  months  after  the  wedding  I  lost  all  my  illusions. 
M.  de  Revel  was  an  accomplished  rascal,  but  I  loved  him  just 
the  same.  He  did  something  wrong ;  he  was  degraded,  dis- 
missed from  the  regiment,  and  then  arrested  and  imprisoned 
for  theft.  My  father  died ;  my  mother  and  I  were  left  almost 
in  misery.  Then  I  remembered  Queen  Caroline.  I  wrote  to 
her.  She  took  care  of  me,  obtained  a  divorce  from  de  Revel, 
and  appointed  me  as  her  reader.    Then  I  met  the  Emperor  .  .  ." 

"When  was  it  ?  " 

"On  the  twenty-sixth  of  January  in  I8O6 — the  day  he  came 
back  to  Paris  after  the  victory  of  Austerlitz.  It  lasted  until 
April.  Queen  Caroline,  then  only  Princess  of  Berg,  was  kind 
to  me,  even  when  I  could  not  continue  my  duties  as  her 
reader.  Leon  was  born  in  December.  I  was  proud  of  him. 
The  Emperor  was  in  Warsaw,  but  they  took  good  care  of  me 
here.     I  had  a  house  in  this  street.  .  .  ." 

"  Rue  de  la  Victoire  }  " 

"Yes.  The  Emperor  came  back — it  was  1807,  the  most 
happy  year  in  my  life." 

"  Eighteen  hundred  and  seven  !  "  repeated  Pani  Walewska  in 
a  hollow  voice,  feeling  in  the  meanwhile  that  the  edifice  of  her 
own  dearest  memories  was  crumbling. 

"  The  happiest !  I  was  feasted  and  respected.  People 
predicted  a  crown  for  Leon.  Every  day  I  was  obliged  to  be 
at   the    Tuileries.     I    had    influence ;    Talleyrand    visited    me 


428  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

frequently.  .  .  .  The  Spanish  war  began.  .  ,  .  They  began  to 
talk  about  yoUj  Madame,  then  about  Mme.  Gazzozii.     I  wished  to 
be  jealous.    Gazzoni  insulted  me,  M.  Savary  scolded  me.    I  had 
still  some  illusions.     In  the  meanwhile  the  Emperor  fell  in  love 
with    Mile.    Guillebeau   at    Bayonne.     I    was   neglected.     My 
mother  died.     Lieutenant  Pierre  Augier  proposed  to  me.     I 
was   fond    of  him ;  my    equivocal  position  was  impleasant..    I 
married.     Pierre  was  the  best  of  husbands  to  me  ;  he  loved 
Leon.     We  were  remembered  at  Court ;  Pierre's  superior  officer 
was   attentive   to   him.     But   little   by    little    everything    was 
forgotten.     About  two  years  since  M.  Talleyrand  called  on  us 
unexpectedly  and  told  me  about  some  fresh  plans  in  regard  to 
me,  and  even  sent  me  an  invitation  to  Queen  Caroline's  Court. 
I  did  not  believe  him  much,  but  I  yielded  to  my   husband's 
persuasions.     Pierre,   at   the    beginning,    very  much   liked  all 
those  honours.     But  then  he  became  jealous  of  me  ;  he  loaded 
me  with  bitter  reproaches  about  my  past ;  he  would  not  leave 
me  alone  for  one  minute  ;  he  ruined  himself  for  costly  frocks  for 
me,  for  he  wished  to  surround  me  with  luxury  so  as  not  to 
make  me  long  for  Imperial  drawing-rooms.  ...  I  had  forgotten 
about  them  long  ago.  .  .  .  But  that  odd  thought  did  not  leave 
my  husljand.     We  had  quite  a  property — it  was   spent !     My 
husband  began  to  gamble,  and  was  lucky.  ...  It  amused  me 
when  he  would  bring  piles  of  gold  and  throw  it  at  my  feet 
every   day.  .  .  .  Suddenly   the    luck   changed  ...   he   made 
debts  ...  we  had  sold  almost  everything.     To-morrow  he  will 
be  tried  by  a  military  court  for  not  having  paid  debts  of  honour 
and  .  .  .  cheating   at    cards.  .   .  .  To-moiTow   we   shall  be   in 
misery  and  covered  with  shame.     Yesterday  I  went  to  Count 
Ornano.     He  was  very  fond  of  Pierre  when  they  served  in  the 
same  regiment.     He  gave  me  some  money  for  the  most  urgent 
necessities,  but  he  cannot  stop  the  trial.     I  told  him  I  intended 
to  call  on  you.     He  gave  me  a  note.  .  .  .  Pierre  could  not 
remain  in  his  regiment,  but  if  they  would  send  him  to  Spain  to 
the  battlefield  ...   I  would  go  with  him.     But  impossible  to 
see  anybody.     It  all  happened  so  suddenly.     They  took  Pierre's 
sword,  they  put  him  in  the  guard-house,  and  to-morrow  .  .  . 
to-morrow.     He  is   guilty,  but   his   service   was   without   any 
reproach.  ..." 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  429 

Mme.  Augier  breathed  deeply. 

"  And  he  does  not  care  about  your  son  ? " 

"  Who  knows  ?  In  the  beginnmg,  especially  when  the  Queen 
Hortense's  son  died^  as  you  know  they  called  him  hereditary 
prince^  the  Empress  Josephine  herself  took  a  great  interest  in 
Leon.  The  nurse  of  Queen  Hortense's  son^  Mme.  Loir,  was 
then  appointed  my  son's  nurse,  and  she  reported  to  the  Marshal 
of  the  Court.  She  was  very  good,  but  when  they  told  her 
reports  were  no  longer  required,  and  when  she  noticed  that 
everything  was  over,  she  was  obliged  to  think  of  herself.  .  .  . 
But  perhaps  I  bore  you,  Madame  ? " 

Pani  Walewska  rose  with  an  effort. 

"  What  you  have  told  me  will  do.  I  know  what  the  question 
is  about.  .  .  ." 

"  The  trial  is  to-morrow,  in  the  afternoon." 

"Very  well." 

"The  best  time  to  see  Constant  is  in  the  morning, after  ten." 

Pani  Walewska  nodded  and  left  the  boudoir. 

Eleonorę  looked  with  astonishment,  not  knowing  what  meant 
that  sudden  departure.  Only  when  the  maid  brought  her  son 
she  understood  that  it  was  a  cold,  haughty  dismissal. 

Mme.  Augier  began  to  cry. 

The  next  day  the  porter  on  duty  at  the  Pavilion  de  Flore  at  the 
Tuileries  was  much  surprised  when,  after  a  string  of  carriages 
of  the  Court  dignitaries  well  knov/n  to  him,  he  noticed  a  dark 
green  coupe  coming  to  the  portico  as  swiftly  as  the  equipage  of 
the  King  of  Naples,  or  of  that  of  the  Prince  Eugene.  That 
surprise,  however,  increased  still  more  when  from  the  carriage, 
instead  of  some  frightened  officer  or  high  official,  there  alighted 
a  lady  dressed  in  black,  who  advanced  with  assured  steps  to  the 
stairs. 

The  porter  was  embarrassed. 

The  lady  wore  a  thick  veil  over  her  face.  It  was  impossible 
to  recognise  her.  The  porter  recollected  that,  according  to  his 
orders,  he  should  have  asked  the  lady  whom  she  wished  to  see, 
but  before  he  could  do  so  the  carriage  went  into  the  courtyard 
to  wait  there  with  other  carriages,  while  the  lady  passed  the 
halberdiers  standing  at  the  top  of  the  stairs,  entered  the  ante- 
chamber boldly,  and  went  on  to  the  guard-room. 


430  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

The  pages  sitting  on  the  benches  rushed  up  when  the  glass 
door  openedj  ready  to  execute  the  prescribed  bow,  but  seeing 
only  a  veiled  lady  they  looked  at  each  other  and  neglected  the 
Court  rules. 

The  lady  walked  to  the  other  door,  guarded  by  a  palace 
commissary  clad  in  rich  uniform  and  with  a  chain  on  his  neck. 

The  commissary  barred  the  lady's  further  progress  with  a 
deep  bow. 

"I  wish  to  see  the  chamberlain  on  duty/'  explained  the 
lady. 

"  First  door  to  the  left,  in  the  pavilion  to  the  right  .  .  .  here 
the  chamberlain  does  not  receive." 

"  I  have  come  for  an  audience." 

"  Is  it  fixed }  " 

"  I  have  come  for  an  audience,  I  said  ! " 

The  commissary  bowed  respectfully. 

"Such  being  the  case,  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  give  me 
your  visiting-card,  that  I  may  send  it  to  the  chamberlain." 

The  lady  handed  her  card  with  an  impatient  movement. 

The  commissary  glanced  at  it. 

"  You  have  not  an  audience  !  But  I  will  announce  you  at 
once  to  the  chamberlain  on  duty  !  " 

The  commissary  called  a  page,  told  him  something,  let  him 
into  the  next  room,  and  stood  at  the  door. 

The  lady  withdrew  a  little,  trying  hard  to  stop  her  nervous 
trembling. 

After  a  while  the  page  returned,  whispered  something  to  the 
commissary,  who  turned  to  the  lady  and  said  bowing  :  "  The 
chamberlain  on  duty  is  at  your  disposition,  Madame.  Pray,  this 
way ! " 

The  commissary  opened  the  door.  The  lady  passed  the 
threshold,  and  having  found  herself  in  a  room  full  of  army, 
court,  and  state  uniforms,  hesitated  for  a  moment.  The  page, 
however,  invited  her,  by  bowing  to  her,  to  go  to  the  left,  towards 
a  window,  where  he  brought  her  a  chair. 

The  room  was  filled  with  whispers,  but  the  men  present  were 
so  preoccupied  that  they  did  not  notice  the  lady. 

Only  when,  from  the  next  room,  the  chamberlain  on  duty, 
clad  in  a  red  velvet  coat,  white  vest  and  white  breeches,  rushed 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  431 

out,  the  gathered  dignitaries  wished  to  bar  his  way ;  but  when 
the  latter,  not  answering  their  question,  directed  himself  to  the 
lady,  his  steps  were  followed  by  inquisitive  looks. 

The  Chamberlam  greeted  the  lady  with  some  embarrassment. 

"  Madame,  pray  excuse  me  for  keeping  you  waiting.  Grctjule 
entree  is  just  over.  ...  If  I  had  expected !  Thousand  par- 
dons ! " 

''  Do  not  excuse  yourself.     I  was  very  much  amused  here." 

"  Ah,  Madame,  I  have  so  much  to  do.  I  cannot  move  without 
hearing  here  and  there  '  M.  de  Remusat !  M.  de  Rćmusat ! ' 
Oh  .  .  .  what  a  long  list !  And  only  Cambaceres  is  with  the 
Emperor.     I  have  not  a  moment  .  .  . ! " 

"  I  shall  not  take  much  of  your  time.  Pray,  put  me  at  the 
head  of  that  list,  that  is  all  I  want." 

'*'  What,  Madame  ?  "  asked  M.  de  Remusat,  moving  his  eye- 
brows as  if  wishing  to  make  them  help  him  to  understand. 

"I  must  see  the  Emperor  on  important  business." 

"  Ah !  h'm  !  .  .  .  only  the  thing  is  .  .  .  Pray,  Madame,  I  do 
not  find  your  name  on  the  list.  ..." 

"  It  does  not  matter,"  answered  the  lady  proudly. 

"  Naturally !  Only  the  rules,  the  rules  .  .  .  His  Majesty 
looks  every  morning  through  the  list  of  the  people  to  whom  an 
audience  is  granted,  and  one  could  not  let  anybody  in  without 
bis  approval.  .  .  ." 

The  lady  arranged  her  veil  nervously.  M.  de  Remusat  smiled 
stupidly,  and  continued  :  "  A  very  heavy  responsibility.  The 
Emperor  is  in  a  good  humour  and  it  must  not  be  spoiled.  .  .  ." 

"But,  M.  de  Remusat,"  said  the  lady  bitterly,  "I  must  have 
something  of  importance  if  I  come  here,  and  I  think  it  will  not 
be  difficult  for  you  to  mention  my  name  to  the  Emperor." 

The  Chamberlain  became  confused. 

"  Naturally  ...  it  will  suffice  to  say  '  Mme.  Walewska.'  Pray 
forgive  me,  but  it  is  my  duty  to  observe  the  rules  strictly.  They 
are  very  strict  since  the  marriage.  .  .  .  But  if  you  command, 
Madame,  we  yield  at  once.  Yes,  at  once  !  When  introducing 
the  Turkish  Ambassador,  I  shall  have  the  honour  to  mention 
about  the  agreeable  surprise." 

Pani  Walewska  nodded  approvingly.  M.  de  Remusat  bowed 
and  disappeared  in  the  crowd  of  uniforms. 


432  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

Pani  Walewska,  who  was  now  persecuted  with  intrusive  looks, 
tightened  the  veil  over  her  face  and  sank  deep  into  the  chair,  as 
if  wishing  to  be  seen  as  little  as  possible.  Her  presence,  how- 
ever, was  noticed  by  a  young  colonel  of  dragoons,  who,  at 
sight  of  her,  interru})ted  his  conversation  with  General  Mon- 
thion,  and  came  to  her. 

Pani  Walewska  made  a  movement  of  surprise  at  the  coloners 
bow. 

"  You  have  recognised  me .'' " 

"Yes.  I  even  permit  myself  to  guess  the  purpose  of  your 
presence  here." 

"  I  could  not  postpone  ..." 

"  I  understand,  and,  so  much  more,  I  appreciate  your  readi- 
ness. In  the  meanwhile,  I  crave  your  forgiveness  for  having 
addressed  myself  to  your  good-heartedness.  I  must  tell  you 
frankly  that  ..." 

"  That  you  had  not  confidence  in  me.  ..." 

"No,  Madame,  I  doubted  whether  you  remember  that  an 
Ornano  existed.  ..." 

"  You  judge  by  the  Corsicans  .  .  .  they  forget  easily, 
then  .  .  .?" 

"A  Corsican,  Madame,"  replied  the  colonel  enthusiastically, 
"never  forgets." 

"  But  only  when  he  hates.  .  .  ." 

"  Or  when  .  .  ." 

"It  is  about  two  years  since  I  saw  you  last,"  interrupted  Pani 
Walewska. 

"The  time  has  not  seemed  so  short  to  everybody.  ...  To 
me  it  was  very  long.  ..." 

"  I  must  congratulate  you  at  your  rapid  advancement.  You 
are  already  a  colonel !  " 

"And  on  what  shall  I  congratulate  you,  Madame .-'" 

"You — me .''"  said  Pani  Walewska  hesitatingly.    "Only  .  .  ." 

"  Precisely,  Madame,"  responded  M.  de  Remusat's  voice  at 
that  moment  from  the  side. 

Ornano  withdrew  discreetly.     Pani  Walewska  rose. 

"Is  it  my  turn.''" 

"Precisely,  Madame,"  mumbled  M.  de  Remusat.  "I  do  not 
know  whether  I  shall  have  an  opportunity.  ...  I  would  like  to 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  433 

make  you  wait.  .  .  .  Such  a  crowd !  ...  I  do  not  know  when 
it  will  be  over.  .  .  .  His  Majesty  will  be  tired.  ...  I  would 
suggest  that  you  should  postpone  till  to-morrow.  ..." 

"Excuse  me,  sir!  I  asked  you  to  tell  his  Majesty  that  I  came 
on  an  urgent  affair.  ..." 

"  Yes,  but  I  cannot ;  I  have  no  opportunity  .  .  .  rules  .  .  . 
etiquette  !  I  can  only  put  your  name  on  the  list  for  to-morrow, 
and  submit  it  to  the  Marshal's  approval.  .  .  ." 

"  Then  I  shall  wait  for  the  Prince  of  Friul ! " 

M.  de  Remsuat  perspired. 

"  Yes,  Madame,  undoubtedly.  ...  It  is  very  painful  for  me,  so 
much  more  that  my  respect  for  you  .  .  .  But  in  this  case  the 
Prince  of  Friul  will  not  be  able.  .  .  .  Etiquette !  We  cannot 
make  exceptions,  even  for  kings !  There  are  no  exceptions ! 
His  Majesty  was  kind  enough  to  tell  me  that  there  are  no 
exceptions.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  leaned  on  the  chair  and  asked  suddenly : 
"Then  you  have  announced  me.''" 

"  Yes,  certainly  !  The  Chancellor  is  my  witness  !  "  muttered 
the  Chamberlain.     "  But  precisely  there  are  no  exceptions  !  " 

"The  Emperor  told  you  that  for  me  .  .  . ! " 

"  Not  at  all,  but  as  a  rule  there  are  no  exceptions.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  laughed  nervously. 

M.  de  Remusat  wished  to  better  the  situation. 

"  On  the  contrary  !  He  himself,  in  my  presence,  said  to  the 
Chancellor :  '  I  must  wrong  Davoust,  and  give  the  Principality 
of  Łowicz  to  Walewski,  who  sustained  great  losses  during  the 
Prussian  campaign,  and  I  am  under  an  obligation  towards  him, 
since  his  reconciliation  Avith  his  wife.'     So  said  his  Majesty." 

Pani  Walewska  bit  her  lips  till  they  bled. 

"  You  see,  Madame,  de  Remusat  is  always  ready  .  .  ." 

"To  do  something  awkward!"  said  a  sneering  voice  from 
beside  him. 

M.  de  Rćmusat  turned,  and  perceived  M.  de  Talleyrand 
smiling  negligently. 

The  Chamberlain  looked  proudly  at  the  ex-minister,  who  was 
in  temporary  disgrace. 

"  Sir,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

Talleyrand  smiled  contemptuously. 
9  F 


434  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

"  That  }^ou  have  hurt  Mme.  Walewska,  and  that  you  did  not 
excuse  the  Emperor.  .  .  ." 

"  It  is  my  concern  !  " 

"  ISIadame/'  said  Talleyrand  to  Pani  Walewska,  not  paying 
an}'  attention  to  de  Remusat's  angry  looks,  "  I  would  be  very 
happy  to  do  anything  for  you." 

"  Precisely  ! "  rejoined  the  Chamberlain.  "  Be  so  kind  as  to 
tell  me  what  the  question  is  about." 

Pani  Walewska  shook  ofF  her  surprise,  looked  proudly  at  the 
courtiers,  and  said — 

"  I  am  obliged  to  you,  sirs,  the  affair  is  of  too  great  im- 
portance. .  .  ." 

^'Anything  in  my  power  !  "  said  Talleyrand. 

"  Pray  command  me  !  "  rejoined  Ilemusat. 

Pani  Walewska  shook  her  head  negatively. 

"  The  affair  is  so  important  that  nobody  can  do  anything  but 
either  the  Emperor  himself,  or  his  lackey.  Constant.  ..." 

Remusat  opened  his  mouth  in  surprise  ;  Talleyrand  wished  to 
parry  the  blow  with  a  witticism,  but  Pani  Walewska  nodded  to 
them,  and  went  to  the  door. 

In  the  guard-room  Ornano  offered  her  his  arm  ;  she  hesitated, 
but  then  accepted  it. 

In  the  portico  Pani  Walewska  stopped  suddenly,  looked  round 
her,  and  said,  endeavouring  to  be  quiet :  "  Then  this  is  the 
Pavilion  de  Flore  ?  " 

"  Do  you  see  it  for  the  first  time  ? " 

"  For  the  last !  Ah,  you  asked  me  on  what  you  should 
congratulate  me.  You  have  seen  by  yourself  .  .  .  great 
honours.  .  .  ." 

"  And  I  was  the  cause  of  .  .  ." 

"  That  I  have  learned  to-day  what  would  have  happened  to 
me  to-morrow !  I  am  thankful  to  you ;  less  illusions,  sadder, 
but  quieter  it  is  !  Poor  Augier !  Are  j'ou  now  at  the  Court  for 
good.? " 

"  No,  Madame  .  ,  .  only  momentarily.  I  am  going  again 
into  the  world,  where  it  is  easier  not  to  think,  easier  to  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  him  with  her  burning  eyes. 

"The  future  is  wide  open  to  you." 

"  Yes,  just  at  this  moment !  "  whispered  Ornano. 


NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY  435 

Pani  Walewska  pressed  his  hand,  entered  the  carriage,  and 
departed. 

The  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Court,  Duroc,  was  sitting  in  the 
drawing-room  of  Pani  Walewska's  little  palace  in  the  Rue  de 
la  Victoire,  and  looking  round  him  with  increasing  uneasiness. 
It  was  half  an  hour  since  he  had  come  there,  sincerely  sorrow- 
ful on  account  of  an  errand  he  had  received,  and  till  now 
neither  Pani  Walewska  nor  Princess  Jabłonowska  had  come 
to  meet  him.  He  was  hurt,  for  he  used  to  come  here  often, 
and  was  always  a  welcome  guest,  and  to-day  they  made  him 
wait.  .  .   . 

Duroc  looked  at  the  clock,  and  then  rang  the  bell. 

A  lackey  appeared  at  the  door. 

"  Have  you  announced  me  to  her  ladyship  ?  " 

"  Yes,  your  grace." 

"Perhaps  the  maid  did  not  tell  her  ..." 

'^'She  did,"  resovmded  the  sonorous  voice  of  Pani  Walewska 
from  the  side.  "  Pray  excuse  me  ;  I  made  you  wait,  but  I  had 
very  urgent  letters  to  finish." 

"■  It  is  I  who  should  ask  your  forgiveness  for  importuning  you, 
but  I  could  not  come  yesterday,  and  to-day  all  news  is  precious. 
How  is  the  Count } " 

"  You  are  asking  about  my  little  boy .''  Thank  you,  he  is 
very  well." 

"  Corvisart  was  commanded  to  call  to-day." 

"  It  will  be  useless.     I  shall  not  let  him  see  my  son." 

Duroc  looked  surprised  at  Pani  Walewska,  not  being  able  to 
make  out  what  her  ceremonious  tone  meant. 

"It  is  always  better  for  a  physician  to  have  charge." 

"  You  are  right.     I  have  sent  for  an  experienced  one.  ..." 

"  And  how  is  your  health  ?  " 

"  As  you  see,  I  am  very  well." 

Duroc  became  abashed,  but  having  understood  that  it  would 
be  best  to  speak  straight  out,  he  asked  :  ''  You  have  been  at 
the  Tuileries  to-day } " 

"  Yes." 

"  And  do  you  know  why  the  audience  .  .  ." 

"  But  it  is  so  clear !  I  was  not  put  on  the  list ;  I  had  not 
presented  my  request  to  the  Marshal  of  the  Court ;  I  had  for- 


436  NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY 

gotten  the  etiquette — in  a  word,  it  is  my  fault  that  I  have  been 
sent  away ! " 

Duroc  could  hardly  conceal  his  embarrassment. 

"  You  are  rights  Madame ;  but  notwithstanding  all  that,  the 
Emperor  regretted  much  that  he  could  not  receive  you." 

Pani  Walewska  curtseyed  to  Duroc. 

"Marshal,  I  hope  you  will  not  refuse  my  request  that  you 
will  express  my  warmest  gratitude  to  his  Majesty  for  his  most 
kind  words  .  .  .  ?  " 

"  Madame  .  .  . !  " 

"  The  honour  done  me.  .  .  ." 

"  But,  Madame,"  interrupted  Duroc,  "  do  I  really  deserve  to 
be  sneered  at  ? " 

«  You,  Marshal } " 

"  Yes,  I,  Madame ! "  said  Duroc  with  emphasis.  "  I  was 
always  very  respectful  towards  you,  and — I  must  be  frank  in 
telling  you — I  was  proud  of  the  confidence  you  had  in  me  .  .  . 
and  I  swear  that  I  should  not  like  to  lose  it.  I  will  say  more, 
I  do  not  know  of  any  circumstance  which  would  change  my 
sentiments  towards  you." 

Pani  Walewska's  eyes  met  Duroc's  clear,  noble  looks. 

"For  my  part  I  never  neglected,  and  I  should  not  like  to 
lose  an  opportunity  of  acknowledging  your  kindness  of  heart ; 
but  at  this  moment  you  were  not  speaking  to  me  in  your  own 
name,  therefore  do  not  take  to  yourself  what  I  said.  .  .  ." 

"  Madame,  if  we  are  to  talk,  one  way  or  another,  let  us  talk 
frankly." 

"  But  only  with  you." 

"  Very  well,  then,  with  me  !  You  feel  hurt,  and  I  guess  why. 
But  permit  me  to  explain  to  you.  The  Emperor  must  very 
often  be  ruled  by  apparently  trifling  reasons.  You  have  suffered 
.  .  .  but  were  you  alone .''  Do  you  think  that  it  is  very  easy 
to  send  away  a  person  whom  one  would  like  to  welcome 
heartily  ? '' 

"  Not  at  all !  And  the  best  proof  is  that  I  never  accepted 
any  invitations  to  the  Tuileries,  that  I  refused  to  become  a 
lady-in-waiting  to  the  Court,  that  I  have  never  been  present  at 
any  Court  ceremony,  except  as  a  mere  spectator  among  the 
crowd!     To-day,  however,  I  dared  to  think  that  I  too  might 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  437 

come  to  the  throne  to  beg  .  .  .  His  Majesty  could  not  doubt 
that  an  affair  of  the  greatest  importance  had  prompted  me  to 
take  that  step.  .  .  ." 

"  Therefore  he  sent  me  here  at  once  in  order  to  do  what  you 
wished  for,  ..." 

"  A  great  favour !  This  morning  I  was  disposed  to  beheve 
it.  .  .  ." 

"  Madame,  if  I  might  beg  of  you  to  be  cooler.  .  .  ." 

"  Am  I  not  so  ?  " 

"  The  Emperor  could  not  grant  you  that  audience.  Such  an 
unexpected  audience  in  particular  would  have  had  an  official 
character,  which,  in  presence  of  yesterday's  event,  of  the 
Empress  Marie  Louise's  illness,  of  the  blossoming  of  paternal 
sentiments,  would  give  occasion  to  gossip,  conjectures  and  mali- 
cious remarks  throughout  the  whole  of  Europe — it  would  have 
made  a  bad  impression  at  the  Court  of  Austria — in  a  word,  it 
would  have  lessened  the  solemnity  of  the  moment  of  the  birth 
of  the  heir  to  the  throne.  His  Majesty  is  obliged  to  pay  atten- 
tion to  appearances,  and  he  cannot  allow  there  to  be  any  doubt 
about  the  Empress's  influence— especially  now,  when  she  is  not 
only  a  consort,  but  a  mother  too.  These  are,  Madame,  the 
real  reasons.  ...  To  all  that  I  should  add  that  your  message 
of  yesterday  moved  the  Emperor  very  much,  but  in  the  mean- 
while it  made  him  fear,  the  Emperor  sometimes  listens  to  his 
advisers  .  .  .  that  your  impulsiveness,  Madame,  would  not 
permit  you  to  keep  within  the  limits  of  an  audience.  That 
is  all.  Do  you  still  doubt .''  Do  you  think  there  are  other 
reasons  .''  .  .  ." 

"  No,  I  even  believe  that  you  speak  from  the  depth  of  your 
conviction,  that  you  believe  your  reasoning  to  be  right." 

"  Certainly,  I  do  believe  so.  I  must  tell  you  something  more, 
in  order  to  convince  you  how  the  Emperor  remembers  you.  The 
moment  is  a  very  important  one,  and  it  requires  concentra- 
tion in  the  family  circle,  requires  that  he,  as  well  as  the 
millions  of  his  subjects,  should  familiarise  himself  with  the 
idea  of  his  future  heir.  .  .  .  This  moment  must  not  be  dis- 
turbed by  any  discord.  For  that  reason  the  Empress  Josephine 
was  told  to  go  to  Switzerland.  I  am  sure  that  your  name  was 
pronounced  also,  but  the  Emperor  repulsed  the  idea,  and  that 


438  NArOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

because  he  is  sure  of  the  dehcacy  of  your  sentiments.  .  .  .  This 
is  not  all.  Although  he  had  a  right  to  be  happy  with  his  son, 
and  might  well  have  forgotten  about  everything  and  everybody, 
he  summoned  me  last  night,  very  late,  for  he  had  learned  about 
some  of  your  wishes.  .  .  .  Well,  then  .  .  .  the  Principality  of 
Łowicz  will  be  taken  from  Davoust  and  given  to  you.  .  .  ." 

"  As  an  indemnity  for  the  losses  of  my  ex-husband,  sustained 
during  the  Prussian  campaign,  and  because  that  husband  recon- 
ciled himself  with  me." 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

"That  is  strange,  for  I  have  repeated  the  Emperor's  own 
words  said  to-day  to  Cambaceres." 

"This  is  new  to  me." 

"  I  am  sure  you  will  not  refuse  M.  de  Rćmusat  the  only  quality 
he  has,  of  being  exact  in  repeating  what  he  hears  !  Then  those 
words,  probably,  are  whispered  already  throughout  Paris." 

"  And  you  are  so  much  hurt  by  this  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  care  one  whit  for  it,  only  I  am  surprised  at  such  ill- 
directed  munificence.  Yes,  my  former  husband  sustained  a  great 
loss  during  that  memorable  campaign,  but  that  loss  could  not  be 
repaid  even  by  the  Emperor.  As  for  me,  I  do  not  accept  the 
present.     What  I  have  will  suffice  for  me  and  my  son." 

"  But  it  is  permitted  to  his  Majesty  ..." 

"  I  do  not  accept.  I  am  very  sorry  that  this  morning  I  nearly 
disturbed  the  blossoming  of  paternal  sentiment,  as  you  put  it." 

"Madame  !"  exhorted  Duroc  in  a  tone  of  persuasion,  having 
noticed  a  sudden  change  in  Pani  Walewska's  face. 

"  I  am  sorry  .  .  .  Yes.  But  as  you  came  to  do  what  I  was 
going  to  ask,  then  you  must  learn  that  at  this  moment  of  the 
blossoming  of  paternal  sentiments  I  thought  it  would  be  right 
to  ask  that  the  son  of  Eleonorę  Denuelle  de  la  Plaigne  should 
not  be  ashamed  of  his  adoptive  father,  Captain  Augier ;  that 
Eleonorę  and  her  husband  should  not  be  exposed  to  the  conse- 
quences of  rolling  down  from  the  heights,  where  they  were  put 
by  a  caprice,  and  in  the  same  way  pushed  from  them  so  that  a 
curse  might  not  hang  over  the  head  of  the  King  of  Rome." 

Duroc  turned  pale. 

"  Madame  !     What  do  you  mean  .''     I  do  not  understand  !  " 

"  Nothing  more  or  less  than  this  :  that  Eleonorę  Augier  has 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  439 

no  means  of  livelihood  ;  that  her  husband  is  being  tried  to-day^ 
and  perhaps  is  already  sentenced  to  be  dismissed  from  the  army ; 
that  little  Leon,  once  the  Benjamin  of  the  Court,  was  turned 
away  from  the  Tuileries  by  a  sentry,  and  this  was  at  the 
moment  Avhen  his  only  wish  was  to  kiss  Constant's  hand." 

"  But  this  is  a  real  fatality  !  I  assure  you  that  this  affair  will 
be  arranged  at  once  in  the  most  satisfactory  way  for  the  Augiers. 
You  know  that  the  Emperor  would  not  neglect  this." 

"  Then  he  will  fulfil  my  most  heartfelt  request ! " 

Duroc  took  Pani  Walewska's  hand  and  kissed  it. 

"  Always  most  noble,  and  remembering  only  others,  not  her- 
self!  The  Emperor  will  be  deeply  moved.  He  will  do  any- 
thing to  be  forgiven !  By  the  way,  I  hope  you  will  be  kind 
enough  not  to  refuse  to  see  him  to-day  ?  .  .  .  " 

"  You  forget  where  I  have  come  from  but  a  little  while 
since ! " 

"Ah,  not  there  .  .  .  but  as  usual.  .  .  ." 

"No,  I  cannot  see  him." 

"  Are  you  hurt,  then,  so  much  ?  .  .  ." 

"  I  do  not  delude  myself.  .  .  .  Until  to-day,  when  I  went 
through  the  Rue  de  Rivoli  and  took  my  way  to  the  Diana  Gallery, 
I  was  comforted  by  the  illusion  that,  if  I  chose,  I  might  at  any 
moment  drive  up  to  the  Pavilion  de  Flore.  To-day  I  no  longer 
entertain  that  illusion.  ...  I  shall  not  set  foot  in  the 
Tuileries.  .  .   ." 

Duroc  was  frightened,  and  tried  to  persuade  Pani  Walewska 
that  her  resolution  had  no  real  ground.  Pani  Walewska  was 
unmoved.     Duroc  became  sad. 

"  It  is  too  bad.  I  shall  not  dare  to  repeat  what  you  have  said 
to  me.  And  I  hope  you  will  change  your  mind,  if  the  culprit 
himself  asks  your  forgiveness.  I  undertake  that,  if  so,  the 
Emperor  will  be  here  personally  to-night.  ..." 

"  You  may  be  assured  that  he  will  be  received  with  all  the 
honours  due  to  him." 

Duroc  opened  his  eyes  wide. 

"I  shall  at  once  order  all  the  lights  in  the  house  to  be 
lighted." 

"But  it  must  be  incognito  !  Nobody  must  know  .  .  .  just  as 
it  used  to  be.  .  .  ." 


440  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

"It  is  impossible  !  The  Rue  de  la  Victoire  deserves  such  an 
honour  for  having  offered  hospitality  so  many  times  to  the 
Emperor,  at  Number  20,  and  then  at  48  .  .  .  and,  expecting  a 
similar  honour  for  other  houses,  it  has  a  right  to  pay  homage  to 
his  Majesty,  and  to  boast  of  that  honour  !  " 

Duroc  clasped  his  hands. 

"  Madame,  consider  !  " 

"  Yes,  I  do  consider,  but  too  late  ! " 

''Then  you  intend  .  .  .  ?" 

"To  leave  Paris  to-morrow." 

"  To  depart  from  this  house,  where  his  heart  attracts  him  .  .  ." 

"  Mme.  Gazzoni  might  be  put  here,  so  that  the  street  should 
not  be  false  to  the  name  of  victory." 

"  You  know  him  so  little  .  .  .  you  do  not  distinguish  between 
a  deep  affection  and  momentary  fancies.  .  .  ." 

"  Unfortunately,  I  do  not,"  answered  Pani  Walewska,  sup- 
pressing the  trembling  of  her  voice.  "There  are  so  many 
names,  so  many  gradations,  that  I  cannot  see  the  diff'erence. 
As  for  me,  my  account  is  only  from  the  time  of  his  return  after 
the  victory  at  Pułtusk." 

"  Such  great  people  must  not  be  measured  by  ordinary  rules." 

"Therefore,  I  neither  measure  nor  judge.  I  withdraw  in 
order  not  to  stop  the  blossoming  of  paternal  sentiments,  and 
not  to  stay  in  the  way  of  the  Empress  Marie  Louise,  who,  as  it 
seems,  loves  her  husband  and  is  loved  by  him." 

"  No,  no  !  I  cannot  listen  to  all  this  !  I  know  only  that  you 
must  receive  the  Emperor  to-day,  that  you  must  have  a  talk 
with  him.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  rang  the  bell.  A  lackey  appeared  at  the 
door. 

"  Light  all  the  lights  !  Put  a  scarlet  carpet  at  the  entrance 
stairs,  gala  livery  for  everybody  !  I  expect  the  Emperor  at  any 
moment !     Every  Oiie  of  you  must  be  at  his  post.     Be  quick  !  " 

The  lackey,  frightened  at  the  energy  with  which  the  order 
was  given,  disappeared. 

Duroc  pressed  his  head  with  his  hands,  and  looked  with  pain- 
ful astonishment  at  Pani  Walewska's  face  flushed  with  energy. 

"  It  would  have  been  better  if  I  had  not  come  here.  But  .  .  . 
you  must  remain  .  .  .  consider  .  .  .  you  will  not  allow  yourself 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  441 

to  be  carried  away  by  anger  .  .  .  for  the  sake  of  your  son  .  .  . 
of  the  Emperor.  ..." 

"This  time  I  shall  think  only  of  myself." 

"  But  you  forget  that  I  can  stop  you  by  force,  and  I  shall  use 
it  for  your  own  sake." 

Pani  Walewska  smiled  sadly. 

"  No^  Marshal !  I  shall  not  remain  willingly,  and  you  will 
not  employ  force,  for  you  would  produce  what  he  wishes  so 
much  to  avoid  :  gossip  and  conjectures !  It  must  be  so !  I 
thank  you  for  the  kindness  which  you  have  shown  me.  Do  not 
be  frightened — remember  my  words — my  departure  will  be 
easily  borne.  Ingratitude,  with  which  I  shall  be  branded,  will 
brighten  the  sorrowful  forehead.  It  is  time  for  me  to  go.  You 
are  happy.  Marshal,  you  love  the  Emperor  and  you  may  remain  ; 
for  the  same  reason  I  must  depart." 


CHAPTER   XIX 

A  GLOOMY  December  night  held  the  park  of  Walewice 
Castle  in  its  frosty  embrace,  covered  silvery  lawns  and 
the  icy  branches  of  elms,  limes,  and  oaks  with  its  dark  veil, 
unitmg  the  earth  and  the  heavens  in  one  awful  bottomless 
darkness. 

Walewice  Castle  was  silent.  Its  shutters  were  closed,  its 
doors  were  bolted ;  only  the  grey  smoke  of  the  chimneys 
showed  that  it  was  inhabited. 

In  fact,  notwithstanding  this  apparent  lack  of  life,  the  lower 
part  of  the  castle  was  full  of  light.  All  the  servants  were  up, 
even  Baptiste,  so  powerful  and  so  careful  of  himself,  was  not  yet 
asleep. 

The  servants'  quarters  were  filled  with  many  voices  in  lively 
discussion,  while  near  the  master's  apartment  only  whispers 
could  be  heard ;  significant  looks  and  eloquent  gestures  were 
exchanged. 

The  attention  of  the  servants  was  concentrated  on  the 
entrance  to  the  Chamberlain's  apartment.  Here  every  opening 
of  the  door,  every  new  order  given  either  by  Baptiste  or  by 
John,  was  earnestly  commented  on. 

For  a  week  the  Chamberlain  had  been  fighting  with  death ; 
for  a  week  the  end  had  been  expected  every  minute  ;  for  a 
week  two  physicians  had  not  left  the  sick  man ;  for  a  week 
Pani  Walewska  had  spent  days  and  nights  either  at  the 
Chamberlain's  bedside  or  in  a  little  room  adjacent  to  his 
chamber. 

The  physicians  had  twice  announced  the  end  as  near ;  twice 
they  had  been  obliged  to  state  their  ignorance  ;  twice  they  had 
been  surprised  that  the  weak  body  of  the  old  man  had  refused 
to  obey  the  expectations  of  science,  and  dared  to  live  still. 

442 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  443 

That  unexpected  resistance  of  the  sick  man  hurt  the 
physicians'  pride,  who,  deceived  in  their  judgment,  noticed 
with  pleasure  that  the  Chamberlain  grew  weaker,  that  the  fever 
increased,  that  the  breathing  was  shorter,  heavier.  .  .  . 

At  last  they  announced  a  crisis,  but  being  afraid  to  meet 
with  a  disappointment  they  agreed  that  improvement  was 
possible. 

That  night  precisely  the  Chamberlain  lost  consciousness  and 
grew  rigid. 

Pani  Walewska  was  informed.  She  was  frightened  at  the 
lugubrious  faces  of  the  physicians,  and  still  more  at  her 
ex-husband's  condition.     She  did  not  dare  to  have  an}?^  hope. 

They  took  her  out  of  the  room  and  made  her  sit  in  an  arm- 
chair in  the  Chamberlain's  dressing-room. 

Pani  Walewska  did  not  try  to  play  the  part  of  a  despairing 
consort — she  neither  would  nor  could  cry. 

But  nevertheless  she  was  torn  by  sincere  sorrow.  She  was 
ready  to  redeem  the  Chamberlain's  health  and  strength  with 
her  own  life.  Yes,  for  Pani  Walev/ska's  ideas  had  long  since 
undergone  a  great  change  with  regard  to  the  Chamberlain, 
because  that  old  man,  that  grumbling  husband  who  was 
ridiculous,  who  insulted  her,  who  destroyed  her  ideals,  who  shut 
her  up  in  Walewice,  that  wearied,  repulsive  man,  had  become 
her  only  friend — the  only  one  who  never  asked  her  why  she 
came  to  his  house  which  sJie  had  left,  why  she  sought  a  shelter 
here,  why  she  had  rushed  from  Walewice  to  Warsaw,  Wilna, 
Vienna,  and  Paris,  and  why  she  returned  unexpectedly  to  his 
castle. 

The  Chamberlain  was  even  so  careful  in  his  isolation  from 
her,  he  saw  her  so  seldom  and  with  refined  elegancy  only  for  a 
few  moments,  that  one  could  easily  believe  he  despised  her. 

In  the  meanwhile,  however,  the  same  Chamberlain  was  un- 
wearied in  finding  means,  when  it  was  a  question  of  remember- 
ing his  ex-wife's  necessities,  and  the  solicitude  he  showed  about 
the  little  Alexandre  was  admirable. 

Pani  Walewska  often  noticed  how  mysterious  hands  fore- 
saw her  wishes,  remembered  the  smallest  expense,  removed 
every  sorrow.  At  the  beginning  she  attributed  that  mysterious 
care  to  some  one  else,  and  having  found  its  true  source  wished 


444  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY 

to  ascribe  it  to  her  ex-husband's  ridiculously  ambitious  plans, 
till  she  was  convinced  that  the  Chamberlain's  only  thought  and 
desire  and  happiness  was  to  look  at  little  Alexandre,  to  caress 
him  and  call  him  his  Imperial  Highness. 

Pani  Walewska  appreciated  the  Chamberlain's  behaviour,  and 
wished  to  show  him  her  gratitude.  And  although  in  Walewice 
Castle  there  was  the  same  separation  between  the  Chamber- 
lain's and  Pani  Walewska's  apartments,  although  ex-husband 
and  ex-wife  did  not  see  each  other  and  did  not  speak  to  each 
other,  they  never  had  been  united  more  tightly,  never  had 
mutual  affection  been  more  sincere. 

And  now  Pani  Walewska  was  going  to  lose  that  friend !  .  .  . 
She  was  looking  at  the  door  leading  to  the  Chamberlain's  bed- 
room, ex2:)ecting  at  any  moment  to  hear  the  gloomy  news, 
which  might  deprive  her  even  of  this  shelter  and  throw  her 
on  the  billows  of  a  precarious  life  ! 

For  in  Walewice  she  was  only  a  guest  on  whom  the  Chamber- 
lain's family  looked  angrily.  She  did  not  have  any  right  there 
— the  shelter  was  given  to  her  through  kindness. 

She  left  Paris  poorer  than  she  was  when  she  went  there. 
She  had  taken  nothing  from  the  little  palace  in  the  Rue  de  la 
Victoire,  except  that  which  she  brought  with  her,  she  refused 
the  principality  offered  to  her,  and  she  had  wilfully  become 
the  modest  ex-wife  of  a  Chamberlain,  without  any  influence, 
without  any  remains  of  the  brilliant  career,  without  the  crumbs 
from  the  lordly  table. 

Perchance  such  a  disinterestedness  was  imprudent,  but  even 
now  Pani  Walewska  did  not  regret  it ;  on  the  contrary,  the 
consciousness  that  she  had  never  asked  for  anything  for  herself, 
made  her  satisfied,  it  tranquillised  her,  it  attenuated  her  fault, 
and  lessened  the  bitterness  that  flew  from  the  thought  she  was 
forgotten. 

It  is  true  that  she  left  Paris  wilfully,  that  she  did  not  listen 
to  Duroc's  persuasions,  but  she  could  not  remain  there,  she 
could  not  bear  indifferently  that  which  she  had  learned,  viz. 
that  she  was  one  of  Napoleon's  several  love  intrigues,  she  did 
not  wish  to  bring  up  her  son  near  to  the  heir  to  the  throne 
and  to  Eleonorę  Augier's  child ;  and  then  she  could  not  bear 
humbly  the  insult  she  had  received  at  the  Tuileries.     There- 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  445 

fore  she  had  left  Paris.  She  had  left  without  the  hope  that 
happy  moments  should  return,  moments  when  it  seemed  to  her 
that  she  was  the  star  of  the  king  of  kings.  But  she  left  look- 
ing at  his  Majesty,  with  a  prayer  on  her  lips,  with  a  wish  that 
her  sorrow  should  not  reach  even  Bonaparte's  feet.  Pani 
Walewska  could  not  expect  that  the  Emperor,  about  whom 
it  was  said  that  he  had  become  the  kindest  father  and  the  best 
husband,  should  take  his  thoughts  from  his  family  and  preserve 
any  feeling  for  Pani  Walewska.  Pani  Walewska  neither  desired 
his  affection  nor  would  she  have  dared  to  respond  to  it.  But 
she  hoped  that  from  time  to  time  some  friendly  news  would 
reach  her  from  Paris,  that  some  reminiscences  of  her  would 
prompt  a  kind  word  to  be  sent  to  the  quiet  of  Walewice,  that 
at  least  there  would  be  some  inquiries  about  her  son.  .  .  . 

Unfortunately,  since  she  left  the  capital  of  France  her  name 
was  not  repeated  even  by  an  echo ;  nobody  cared  what  had 
become  of  the  woman  whom  formerly  they  worshipped  like  an 
idol. 

It  is  true  that  a  few  months  ago  Pani  Walewska  had  gone  to 
Warsaw,  and  there  had  heard  with  a  throbbing  heart  of  the 
Emperor's  unconquerable  power ;  it  is  true  that  the  French 
Ambassador,  Pradt,  was  exceedingly  kind  and  respectful  towards 
her,  offering  her  his  services.  He  said  something  about  the 
Emperor's  official  inquiries. 

And  Pani  Walewska  tried  to  deceive  herself  by  believing 
that  from  among  the  numerous  armies,  from  among  camp  fires, 
from  Bonaparte's  tent  over  which  floated  the  Imperial  standard, 
a  kind  thought  was  directed  to  her.  That  illusion  was  so 
intoxicating  that  Pani  Walewska,  excited  to  the  extreme, 
rushed  to  Wilna,  where  she  expected  to  meet  the  man  to  whom 
some  mysterious,  irresistible  force  attracted  her.  And  she  went 
not  because  she  dared  to  think  that  past  happiness  would 
return,  not  because  she  wanted  to  impose  her  sentiment  on 
Napoleon — no — but  because  she  wished  to  be  intoxicated  with 
his  glory ;  she  did  not  wish  to  see  in  him  the  brutal  lover,  but 
the  dreamed-of  hero,  who  challenged  the  immortality  of 
Alexander  the  Great  and  Caesar. 

In  Wilna,  however.  Pani  Walewska  met  with  only  the  rear  of 
the  army,  and  the  anxious  governor,  Hogendorp,  who  did  not 


446  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

fear  to  take  such  care  of  her  that  on  the  fourth  day  he  had 
obtained  from  headquarters  all  mstructions  concerning  her. 
General  Hogendorp  followed  those  instructions  exactly.  There- 
fore he  came  to  see  her  in  full  uniform  and  advised  her  to 
return  to  Warsaw,  for  the  journey  after  the  army  would  be  very 
fatiguing  for  her,  and  would  cause  some  conjectures. 

But  when  Pani  Walewska  wished  to  carry  out  her  former 
plans,  the  honest  face  of  the  Dutch  General  twisted  maUciously, 
and  from  his  mouth  fell  a  sharp  remark  :  ''  I  am  authorised  to 
tell  you,  Madame,  that  there  are  already  too  many  actrices  at 
headquarters." 

Pani  Walewska  returned  to  the  calm  of  Walewice — again 
wounded,  and  full  of  bitterness  that  her  enthusiasm  was  treated 
so  roughly,  so  brutally. 

The  months  passed  away.  The  joyful  news  about  the  great 
army  reached  even  Walewice,  and  Pani  Walewska  learned  that 
Napoleon  had  taken  Moscow,  from  whence  he  dated  his 
bulletins.  .  .  .  All  at  once  everything  became  quiet,  silent.  .  .  . 

Notwithstanding  the  bitterness  which  continued  its  destruc- 
tive work  in  Pani  V/alewska's  heart,  she  did  not  cease  to  worship 
Napoleon.  She  accused  herself  of  being  too  bold,  of  being  too 
capricious ;  for  how  was  it  possible  that  he,  who  was  carrying 
out  his  vast  plans,  who  perhaps  was  now  following  the  tracks  of 
Alexander  the  Great's  cohorts,  who  perhaps  had  already  left 
Moscow  and  conducted  his  eagles  to  the  shores  of  the  Ganges 
and  looked  at  the  Himalaj-as,  how  could  he  remember  her? 
Could  he  neglect  his  historic  mission  for  her  .^  Could  he  lower 
his  soaring  to  her .'' 

Thus  thought  Pani  Walewska  as  she  looked  at  the  door  of  the 
Chamberlain's  bedroom. 

All  at  once  the  door  opened.  A  physician  stood  before  Pani 
Walewska,  who  shivered,  and  asked  quietly  :  "  What  news  }  " 

The  physician  made  a  helpless  movement. 

"Well,  the  fever  has  disappeared  .  .  .  the  respiration  is  even 
.  .  .  the  Chamberlain  sleeps  soundly !  .  .  ." 

''Then  the  danger  ?  " 

"  It  is  over,  Madame.  Difficult  to  believe  !  For  where  from  ? 
what  ?  They  would  not  believe  !  He  was  already  stiff,  and 
t  .  ,  nothing !     He  is  snoring  now  !  .  ,  ," 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  447 

''Is  it  certain  ?" 

''  Upon  my  honour,  Madame.  To-day,  two  hours  since,  I 
would  have  wagered  my  hand  that  it  was  the  end.  ..." 

Pani  Walewska  entered  the  bedroom,  shook  the  physician  by 
the  hand,  made  him  promise  to  do  all  he  could,  and  returned 
tranquil  to  her  apartment  on  the  first  floor. 

But  hardly  had  she  had  time  to  kiss  her  sleeping  son,  v/hen 
the  maid  rushed  into  the  bedroom  with  a  letter. 

Pani  Walewska  looked  at  her  in  surprise. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?     What  is  it  .^  " 

"A  letter  from  Warsaw,  brought  by  a  special  messenger 
from  the  Princess !     He  was  told  it  was  very  urgent ! " 

Pani  Walewska  took  the  letter  slowly  and  put  it  on  the  table, 
feeling  certain  that  it  contained  some  tedious  condolences  for 
the  Chamberlain  and  a  handful  of  gossip  from  Warsaw. 

But  the  maid,  having  noticed  her  mistress's  indifference,  said 
confidentially :  "  The  messenger  said  it  was  awfully  urgent,  and 
the  Princess  promised  him  a  piece  of  land  if  he  came  in  good 
time." 

"  Very  well !  Tell  him  to  rest.  I  will  write  that  he  came  in 
good  time." 

"  But  ...  he  says  that  the  Emperor  Napoleon  himself  has 
come  to  Warsaw." 

Pani  Walewska  trembled,  and,  not  paying  any  attention  to 
the  maid's  improper  familiarity,  broke  the  seal,  and  began  to 
read : — 

"  Marie  !  The  French  army  does  not  exist !  The  Emperor 
arrived  to-day  at  Warsaw  with  only  Roustan  and  Caulin- 
court.  He  starts  to-night,  by  way  of  Łowicz  and  Dresden, 
for  Paris,  to  collect  a  fresh  army.  I  remembered  you.  Go  at 
once  to  Łowicz — wait  at  the  post  office,  the  horses  will  be 
changed.  I  am  sure  you  will  come  in  time.  I  beseech  you ! 
You  have  an  opportunity.  My  hand  trembles  as  I  write  this. 
Kind  Anetka  told  me  about  it.  Pradt  is  running  away  from 
his  embassy.  Dress  in  black.  Greet  Anastazy.  The  best  way 
will  be  to  take  Alexandre  with  you.  I  am  awfully  afraid  for 
my  Antony,  whether  he  has  met  with  some  accident.  He 
deserved  the  Legion.  It  is  late — I  am  going  to  make  calls. 
Half  killed  and  half  dead — the  rest  drowned  on  some  bridge. 


448  NArOLEON"S  LOVE   STORY 

AAvful !  They  must  apply  mustard  to  Anastazy's  feet.  My 
mother  used  it  up  to  her  death.  Matthew's  wife  will  know 
something  more,  for  her  husband  was  in  the  Hotel  d' Angleterre, 
where  the  Emperor  stopped.  What  an  idea  for  a  crowned  head 
to  stop  in  a  hotel !  Do  not  believe  what  they  say  about  that 
aclrice,  it  was  said  only  connne  ca.  The  Emperor  was  speaking 
of  you  yesterday  to  Wonsowich — who  took  a  fancy  to  Anetka. 
He  may  try,  for  ever}i:hing  is  over  with  de  Flahaut.  I  applied 
salts  twice.  All  this  is  dreadful !  Therefore  go  at  once. 
Hearty  kisses  from  yours  for  ever,  "Jabłonowska. 

"  P.S. — The  Emperor  said  yesterday  to  Pradt :  'Du  sublime  au 
ridicitle  il  ny  a  qiinn  pas  ! '  Very  just.  Remember,  for  one  forgets 
such  things," 

Pani  Walewska  had  finished  the  letter,  put  it  quietly  aside, 
and  looked  with  her  eyes  full  of  stupefaction  at  the  inquisitive 
maid's  face.     Then  she  took  the  letter  again  and  glanced  at  it. 

In  the  meanwhile  her  cheeks  became  scarlet,  her  hands 
trembled,  her  bosom  began  to  heave,  her  mouth  quivered.  All 
at  once  some  power  shook  her  ;  she  lifted  her  white  forehead 
proudly  ;  her  eyes  brightened. 

Pani  Walewska  began  to  give  orders.  They  were  short, 
precise,  embracing  all  details,  not  permitting  any  hesitation, 
even  for  one  second. 

The  castle  became  feverishly  animated. 

The  servants  packed  boxes,  grooms  were  getting  ready 
sledges,  lackeys  were  bringing  to  Pani  Walewska  overseers, 
housekeepers,  and  even  Baptiste  was  called.  Pani  Walewska 
gave  orders  what  should  be  done  during  her  absence  and 
the  Chamberlain's  illness. 

Having  done  with  the  servants.  Pani  Walewska  went  down 
to  the  physicians.  There  she  assured  herself  that  the  Chamber- 
lain was  really  better,  made  them  promise  her  that  they  would 
not  leave  the  invalid,  mentioned  something  about  the  urgent 
necessity  of  departure,  that  she  would  be  back  very  soon,  and 
returned  to  her  apartments. 

Here  she  found  that  the  nurse  had  dressed  little  Alexandre, 
wrapped  him  in  a  fur,  and  was  ready  for  the  journey. 

When  before  the  portico  of  the  castle  the  sledge-bell  re- 


NAPOLEON^S  LOVE   STORY  449 

sounded,  Pani  Walewska  donned  her  fur  cloak,  put  on  fur 
overshoes,  and  listened  to  John's  report,  that  although  the  road 
was  good  to  Lov/icz,  an  outrider  had  gone  ahead  just  the  same 
to  see  if  there  were  not  heavy  snowdrifts.  After  that  she  took 
the  Princess's  letter,  glanced  at  the  postscript,  folded  it,  and 
put  it  in  her  bosom, 

"  Shall  we  be  going  ?  "  asked  the  nurse. 

"Yes." 

Pani  Walewska  looked  round  as  if  to  see  whether  she  had 
not  forgotten  an}i;hing,  and  went  towards  the  door  thinking 
that  she  would  go.  She  must  go  — she  must  see  him.  She  was 
going,  for  she  must  persuade  herself  that  it  v/as  all  false — lies, 
base  intrigues !  Yes,  for  he  could  only  conquer,  for  conquest 
v/as  his  life,  his  right,  his  destiny !  There  was  no  power  that 
could  resist  him,  there  was  no  army  which  his  genius  could  not 
break  and  crush.  He  commanded  the  world  ;  there  was  nobody 
more  powerful  than  he.  Neither  seas,  nor  mountains,  nor  pre- 
cipices, nor  rivers  dared  to  stop  him.  He  went  on,  and  would 
go  on  further  and  further ;  he  would  gather  new  laurels  and 
annoimce  his  will,  till  everything  was  fulfilled.  There  were  not 
two  roads,  two  destinies  for  him — he  had  but  one  war  cry : 
Forward  !  The  man  who  carried  such  a  burden  on  his  shoulders, 
who  aroused  in  his  countrymen  such  ambition,  confidence,  and 
pride,  must  be  conscious  of  his  might.  He  reached  beyond  the 
clouds  with  his  eagle-like  eyes,  over  the  horizons  of  the  future, 
beyond  the  mist  of  destiny  ! 

He  .  .  .  Napoleon !  .  .  .  defeated  .  .  .  crushed  .  .  .  humili- 
ated .  .  .  Napoleon  !  ...  As  if  it  could  be  possible  that  the 
sun  could  be  quenched !  ...  as  if  heat  could  drink  out  the 
ocean !  ...  as  if  a  thunderbolt  could  strike  where  it  origi- 
nated !  .  .  . 

But  suppose  .  .  .  suppose  the  great  army  does  not  exist  ?  .  .  . 
suppose  ?  .  .  .  No,  never  !  It  is  false,  base  joking,  blasphemous 
wickedness.  She  looks  at  him,  beholds  him  !  .  .  .  Amongst  the 
crowd  covered  with  gold  and  silver,  on  the  background  of  fierce 
grenadiers'  bearskins,  shining  shakoes  and  armour,  showy  hats 
and  tall  plumes,  on  the  field  bristling  with  iron,  steel,  and  brass, 
he  stands  thoughtful,  neither  moved  by  new  laurels  nor  over- 
whelmed by  the  great  deeds  accomplished  .  .  .  already  makhig 
2   G 


450  NAPOLEON^S   LOVE   STORY 

new  plans.  .  .  .  And  the  field  shivers  froni  the  firing  of  salutes, 
and  thousands  of  people  are  intoxicated  with  joyful  exclamations  ! 
Half  a  million  soldiers,  half  a  million  heroes,  half  a  million  strong 
arms  and  broad  chests  would  have  to  be  torn  to  pieces,  half  a 
million  blows  to  be  parried,  half  a  million  hearts  to  be  pierced, 
half  a  million  heads  to  be  crushed  before  he  could  be  reached ! 

And  he  stands  thoughtful !  He  looks  on  helplessly  crowded 
enemies,  on  burned  towns,  on  crushed  bastions,  on  ruined 
strongholds,  on  veils  of  smoke,  where  the  fire  of  cannons  has 
torn  the  bodies  of  those  who  dared  to  oppose  him,  on  stubborn 
foes  who  attempted  to  fight  a  Titan  !  He  looks  thoughtful  .  .  . 
and  his  lips  mutter  kind  words  of  pardon  !  .  .  . 

Over  a  village  a  storm  rages.  Zigzags  of  lightning  cut  the 
clouds,  unbridled  wind  carries  devastation,  nourishes  fires, 
crushes,  twists,  scatters,  tears,  overturns.  .  .  . 

But  hardly  has  it  passed  away,  hardly  does  it  withdraw  its 
thunderbolts,  hardly  does  it  show  a  scrap  of  blue  sky,  when  a 
sad  smile  comes  on  the  village  from  the  height  of  the  firma- 
ment— a  sunbeam  searches  which  wound  it  may  heal,  which 
bent  stem  it  may  raise.  .  .  . 

It  is  the  same  with  him.  Napoleon ! 

And  she  rushes  to  him  and  looks  at  him,  and  breathes  his 
triumphs,  and  is  intoxicated  with  his  glory  .  .  .  and  thus  for 
ever !  .  .  r 

Pani  Walewska's  servants,  headed  by  the  housekeeper  and 
Baptiste,  waited  for  her  at  the  sledge  for  a  long  while,  till  at 
last,  not  able  to  understand  the  cause  of  her  delaying  after  such 
haste,  they  began  to  steal  quietly  to  the  door  of  her  apartment, 
expecting  that  new  orders  would  come.  But  the  first  recon- 
naissances were  without  any  result.  At  last  the  nurse,  en- 
couraged by  the  boy's  crying,  alighted  from  the  sledge,  handed 
the  child  to  the  maid,  and  went  to  Pani  Walewska's  apart- 
ment. 

She  found  it  empty.  She  looked  in  this  and  that  room,  till  at 
last,  supposing  that  Pani  Walewska  had  gone  to  see  the 
physicians,  she  turned  to  the  part  of  the  castle  occupied  by  the 
Chamberlain. 

Hardly  had  the  nurse  passed  the  threshold  of  the  boudoir 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE  STORY  451 

connected  with  the  Chamberlain's  dressing-room  than  she 
uttered  a  cry  of  horror.  Pani  Walewska  Avas  lying  on  the  floor 
senseless. 

At  the  nurse's  scream  the  servants  rushed  into  the  room  and 
the  two  physicians  followed  them. 

Pani  Walewska  was  put  on  the  sofa  and  brought  to  her 
senses. 

The  physicians  having  ordered  some  potion  returned  to  the 
Chamberlain.     The  nurse  rushed  to  them. 

"  O  Lord  !     What  could  be  the  matter  with  my  lady  ?  " 

"Nothing  of  importance  just  now,"  said  the  elder  physician 
qiuetly.     "  In  an  hour  she  will  be  quite  well." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?     What  a  strange  illness  !  .  .  ." 

"  There  is  no  illness  whatever.  Understand  ?  It  is  the  heart ; 
that  is  all." 

"  The  heart } " 

"  Yes,  if  it  does  not  kill  you  at  once,  then  .  .  .  nothing  for 
the  present.  .  ,  ." 


EPILOGUE 


THE  Rue  de  la  Victoire  was  in  the  habit,  not  long  ago,  of 
retiring  earlier  than  its  neighbours.  Like  a  former 
beauty  borne  down  by  age,  not  only  was  it  the  first  to  put  out 
its  lights  and  lock  its  doors,  but  also,  having  forgotten  about 
former  sleepless  nights,  would  look  askance  and  address  re- 
proaches to  others  less  inclined  to  go  to  bed  early. 

Therefore  the  nearest  neighbours  of  the  Rue  de  la  Victoire 
must  have  been  very  much  sui'prised  when  one  December 
evening  they  not  only  perceived  lights  in  the  elegant  little 
palace  marked  with  number  48,  but  also  noticed  several 
carriages  standing  in  front  of  it.  This  time  the  Rue  de  la 
Victoire  itself  must  have  been  wondering,  for  that  little  palace 
had  lately  been  full  of  surprises — it  would  become  suddenly 
silent,  and  then  also  suddenly  animated.  .  .  .  Sometimes  the 
whole  of  Paris  would  shout,  shiver,  roar,  and  the  little  palace 
would  seem  dead  ;  and  on  the  contrary,  while  there  was  nothing 
going  on  and  everything  was  quiet,  when  there  was  no  reason 
for  animation— the  little  palace  would  resound  with  the  music 
of  a  spinet,  would  assume  a  holiday  appearance. 

There  had  been  many  such  changes.  Till  about  a  year  ago 
the  little  palace  had  become  quiet,  its  lights  were  put  out 
regularly,  its  doors  were  locked  at  the  same  hour.  Suddenly  it 
seemed  that  the  former  habits  had  returned. 

The  Rue  de  la  Victoire  stoj){)ed  its  breathing,  looked  inquisi- 
tively at  the  palace,  and  listened  attentively. 

If,  however,  the  carriages  at  the  door,  lighted  vestibule  and 
circulating  servants,  gave  a  good  opportunity  to  the  sight,  hear- 
ing was  very  disappointed,  for  the  little  palace  was  silent.  .  .  . 

Hours  passed  away  .  .  .  the  coachmen  were  slumbering  on 

452 


NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY  453 

their  boxes,  the  horses  dropped  their  heads  sleepily,  the  palace 
was  still  shining  with  lights,  but  it  was  silent.   .  .  . 

Midnight  came.  .  .  .  On  the  background  of  the  lighted  hall  a 
man  appeared.  He  rushed  out,  shouted  to  the  nearest  coach- 
man, jumped  into  the  carriage ;  the  vehicle  rolled  noisily,  and 
disappeared  m  the  street. 

After  these  signs  of  life,  which  drew  from  stupor  the  other 
coachmen,  the  former  quiet  returned. 

Suddenly,  at  the  other  end  of  the  street  resounded  the 
rattling  of  a  carriage,  and  with  it  the  same  hollow  sound  that 
was  heard  a  while  ago.  The  vehicle  was  returning  at  double 
speed,  its  wheels  producing  shining  sparks,  and  it  stopped 
short. 

This  time  two  lackeys  rushed  out  from  the  palace  and 
approached  the  carriage  door,  from  which  alighted  a  tall  man, 
wrapped  in  a  cloak,  and,  not  paying  any  attention  to  the 
servants,  put  out  his  hand  to  a  priest  and  helped  him  to  alight ; 
they  both  entered  the  hall. 

The  man  threw  his  cloak  to  a  lackey,  while  the  priest  was 
taking  off  his  cloak  slowly. 

"  Have  you  informed  the  Countess  ? "  asked  the  priest  quietly. 

"She  wished  it  herself  .  .  ."  answered  the  man.  .  .  . 

The  priest  pointed  at  a  little  bimdle  w^hich  he  had  brought 
in  with  him. 

"  Count,  you  be  so  kind  as  to  show  me  to  a  room." 

"  Pray,  this  way  .  .  ."  answered  the  Count,  and  conducted 
the  priest  to  a  small  drawing-room.  The  priest  donned  a 
surplice,  a  stole,  and  put  on  the  table  a  couple  of  small  silver 
vessels. 

The  Count  went  out  for  a  moment,  and  came  back  with  an 
old,  bent  servant. 

He  was  quick  to  understand.  The  servant  went  ahead,  and 
the  silence  of  the  palace  was  broken  by  the  trembling  tintin- 
abulation  of  a  silver  bell. 

The  Count  accompanied  the  priest  to  the  door  of  a  room,  and 
entered  the  adjacent  boudoir,  hardly  lighted  by  logs  of  wood 
burning  in  the  fireplace.  Here  he  sat  in  a  chair,  and  covered 
his  face  with  his  hands. 

"  What  now  ?  "  asked  a  voice  near  the  Count. 


454  NAPOLEON'S  LOVE   STORY 

The  Count  took  his  hands  from  his  face,  looked  at  the  man 
sitting  near  by,  and  answered  :   "  He  is  there  .  .  ." 

The  man  moaned,  and  pkmged  his  looks  into  the  fireplace. 

For  a  while  nothing  was  heard  but  the  crackling  of  burning 
■wood. 

"  Where  is  Alexandre  ?  "  asked  the  Count  in  his  turn. 

"  He  is  with  the  Princess." 

"  And  Corvisart  ?  " 

Instead  of  an  answer  small  quick  steps  were  heard  at  the 
other  end  of  the  boudoir,  and  they  were  followed  by  the 
apj)earance  of  a  gentleman  in  dark  brown  swallow-tail  coat  and 
white  necktie  ;  his  bald  head  was  surrounded  by  a  crown  of 
white  hair. 

The  Count  rushed  to  the  gentleman. 

"  Doctor,  what  is  your  opinion  ?  " 

The  physician  stopped,  and  looked  at  "his  snuff-box,  Avhich  he 
held  in  his  hand. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  say.  .  .  .  Nature  may  get  the  better.  .  .  ." 

"  For  God's  sake,  sir,  yesterday  you  said  .   .  ." 

The  physician  took  the  Count  ])y  the  hand,  and  shook  it 
heartily. 

"  Monsieur  Ornano,  General  !  Have  courage  !  Yesterday  it 
seemed  to  myself  ...  I  had  charge  of  the  Countess's  health 
formerly  also !  I  was  not  afraid  of  the  inflammation  of  the 
lungs,  but  I  did  not  suppose  that  the  heart  .  .  ." 

"  Heart !  "  repeated  General  Ornano,  in  a  hollow  voice. 

"  Yes,  Count,  God  is  my  witness  that  never  before  did  the 
helplessness  of  our  knowledge  weigh  on  me  as  heavily  as 
to-day ! " 

"  Then,  you  think  .  .  ." 

Corvisart  bent  over  his  snuff-box. 

"  That,  perhaps,  there  above,  she  will  find  a  better 
physician.  .  .  ." 

Pani  Walewska  breathed  with  difficulty,  opened  her  half- 
closed  eyes,  pushed  aside  a  lock  of  hair  from  her  shajiely  face, 
and  looked  round  with  failing  eyes. 

"  Are  you  round  me  ? "  whispered  Pani  Walewska's  white 
lips.     "  You  are  all  .  .  .  very  well  ...  I  must  take  farewell  of 


NAPOLEON'S   LOVE   STORY  455 

you.  ...  It  is  hard,  very  hard  to  die !     And  I  hved  so  much, 
so  miic]i.  .  .  .  Love  Alexandre  ...  do  not  abandon  him.  .  .  ." 

"  Mary  !  "  moaned  a  man  at  Pani  Walewska's  bed  head. 

"Paul!  My  dear  brother!  Take  from  my  jewel-box 
Gorayski's  ring !  Wear  it.  And  you,  Philippe,  forgive  me  for 
having  brought  you  so  many  sorrows.  .  .  .  What  month  is  it 
now  ?  " 

"  December." 

"  December  !^  Awful,  cruel  month  !  You  know  that  Decem- 
ber took  from  me  that  with  which  I  wanted  to  live,  with  which 
I  wished  to  defend  my  name  !  But  it  is  my  pain,  my  own  ! 
.  .  .  You  have  nothing  to  do  with  it !  You  must  be  always 
with  the  Emperor,  for  I  shall  be  with  him !  You  think  .  .  . 
that  island.^  There  is  no  power  that  could  overthrow  him, 
crush  him — he  will  come  back — he  will  return.  ...  He  must ! 
Understand !  For  he  took  an  oath  to  me  !  And  in  return  he 
has  taken  all  I  had— he  has  taken  blood  from  thousands  of  our 
people  !  Lord  !  .  .  .  They  are  playing  !  Retraite .'  ...  He  is 
coming  .  .  .  our  blood  flows  again,  the  insatiable  earth  drinks 
it !  .  .  .  Flames  once  more— misery  once  more.  Death  !  Con- 
fusion I  O  Lord,  and  I  loved  the  man  who  was  going  not  to 
destroy,  but  to  build  !   ..." 


In  the  cemetery  in  Kiernosia  the  Avillows  move  their  heads 
sadly,  the  pines  look  thoughtfully  on  the  grave  mounds  over- 
grown with  green. 

Quiet !  .  .  .  Oblivion !  .  .  . 

And  the  story  of  the  beautiful  Pani  Walewska  falls  into  for- 
getfulness.  .  .  .  The  Polish  land  absorbs  it.  .  .  . 

On  the  cemetery  of  Kiernosia  the  plough  cuts  its  furrov/s,  and 
returns  to  life  the  harvest  of  death.  .  .  . 


THE     END 


PLYMOUTH 

WILLIAM    BRENDON   AND   SON,  LIMITED 

PRINTERS 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  L'BRAHY  hAUL, 


AA    001  313  909   2 


CENTRAL  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
University  of  California,  Saji  Diego 

DATE  DUE 

^/^7^/^^^ 

uci  01  198] 

CI  39 

UCSD  Libr. 

